The fall race at Phoenix International Raceway has traditionally coincided with Veterans Day, and the Grand Marshal for this year’s Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be one of the most recognizable veterans in America.
United States Senator John McCain, a highly decorated veteran of the Vietnam War and lifelong public servant, will say the most famous words in motorsports – “Drivers, start your engines!” – before the green flag falls at PIR on Sunday, Nov. 15.
Grandstand seats for the race are officially sold out, but general admission seating on the Hillside remains available at PhoenixRaceway.com and by phone at 866-408-RACE (7223).
Sen. McCain graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1958 and served as a naval aviator, including service in Vietnam, where was held as a prisoner of war from 1967-73. He went on to attend the National War College and then command a training squadron before serving as the Navy’s liaison to the United States Senate. He retired from the Navy in 1981 as a captain, and received 17 military honors and commendations, including the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Navy Commendation Medal.
Sen. McCain began his political career as a United States Congressman, representing Arizona’s First District, in 1982. He was elected to the Senate in 1986, filling the seat vacated by Sen. Barry Goldwater after his retirement. During his nearly 30 years in the Senate, he has earned a reputation for pragmatism and the ability to work with members of both parties to accomplish important goals for his constituents. He was his party’s nominee for President of the United States in 2008.
The Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 is the final race in the Eliminator round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. After the race, the field of championship contenders will be trimmed from eight hopefuls to the final four drivers that will race for the championship the next week.
