VIDEO: NHRA, TJ Zizzo Honors America & 9/11 Heroes

Newman, Schumacher Pay Poignant Visit to Arlington National Cemetery, 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

(U.S. Army Racing drivers Tony Schumacher (NHRA, left) and Ryan Newman (NASCAR, right) participate in a wreath ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Thursday in Washington D.C. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Turner, USAAC G7)

U.S. Army Racing drivers Ryan Newman (NASCAR) and Tony Schumacher (NHRA) paid solemn tribute Thursday to our nation's heroes in powerful, emotional visits to both the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. 

Schumacher and Newman were humbled and honored by the experience as they laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a symbol of all unaccounted for American Soldiers lost in combat. The Tomb commemorates the spirit of devotion, sacrifice and courage of the American Soldier, and has been guarded 24/7 since 1930. 

"It was indeed a somber honor to stand there in front of the Tomb and reflect on the dedication and sacrifices of our American heroes who have fought for our freedom," said Schumacher, who is in his 11th season driving the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing. "It was an emotional moment that I will never forget." 

Newman was equally touched by the experience in the sacred military shrine. 

"Just staring at the Tomb and then seeing all of those delicately-placed white marble headstones is one powerful reminder that we must never take for granted the many sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform," said Newman, who is in his third season driving the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing. 

Following the Arlington National Cemetery visit, Newman and Schumacher laid a wreath at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial which was designed as a place for remembrance, reflection and renewal. 

The design captures that moment in time at 9:37 a.m., Sept. 11, 2001 when 184 lives from the Pentagon and American Airlines Flight 77 became intertwined for eternity. Each Memorial Unit is a cantilevered bench and a permanent tribute to each victim in a single element. Beneath each bench is a pool of flowing water, lit at night to illuminate the Memorial park. 

"It was another emotional visit to see this magnificent and well-thought-out Memorial," said Newman, a 15-time NASCAR Sprint Cup race winner. "This Memorial will ensure that the 184 lives that were lost here 10 years ago will never be forgotten." 

"It's an amazingly-designed Memorial and we need to keep the 184 victims in our hearts," said Schumacher, a seven-time NHRA season champion. "I was deeply touched by the Memorial." 

Following the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial visit, the U.S. Army drivers met with Secretary of the Army, John M. McHugh, U.S. Army Chief of Staff, General Raymond T. Odierno and Sergeant Major of the Army, Raymond F. Chandler. 

"We experienced so much emotion and history today," stated Schumacher. "I feel both fortunate and proud to be the Army's representative on the NHRA circuit. Walking the historic Pentagon corridors was indeed a privilege." 

Said Newman, "It was an insightful, moving and inspiring day to visit both Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon. After today, it makes me even more proud to wear the Army uniform and drive the Soldiers' car." 

In observance of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Newman's No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet will have a special paint at this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup race in Richmond, Va. His car will carry the names of the 75 U.S. Army personnel killed in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. Schumacher's U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster carried the 9/11, U.S. Army paint scheme last week at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. The 9/11 paint scheme will also be on Schumacher's dragster at next week's NHRA national event in Charlotte, N.C.

US Army Racing to Honor 9/11 Pentagon Victims

(Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

As the nation observes the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. Army announced today that both its NHRA and NASCAR teams will honor the victims of the Pentagon attack with special paint schemes at upcoming races.

At this weekend’s Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis (Sept. 2-5), Tony Schumacher’s U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster will carry the names of the 75 U.S. Army personnel killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

One week later, on Sept. 10, Stewart-Haas Racing driver Ryan Newman also will carry the names of the 75 U.S. Army Pentagon victims on his No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet in the Wonderful Pistachios 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.

In addition to the listing of the names, both race cars will carry an inscription “We Will Never Forget” and sport a specially-designed logo featuring the World Trade Center twin towers, Pentagon and the American Flag.

“It will be a moving experience when we unveil the race car in Indy,” said Schumacher, a seven-time world champion. “Many years later, all of us still remember that horrible day which affected so many innocent people, including those at the Pentagon. Our hearts and prayers clearly remain with the families of the victims. We will never, ever forget that terrible tragedy.”

Winless thus far this season, Schumacher would love to be able to dedicate a victory and trophy to the victims’ families on Labor Day.

“I couldn’t think of a better time to get our first win of the year,” said the Chicago-area resident. “As always, we will definitely be Army Strong on race day and give it our usual 150 percent effort.”

Like Schumacher, Newman is expecting to be deeply moved by the first appearance of his Richmond race car.

“There’s no question it will be an emotional time for not only my team, but the entire NASCAR family,” said Newman, a 15-time Sprint Cup winner. “We all remember where we were and what we were doing when the news surfaced about the attacks. I know it will be etched in my memory forever. And, it should be that way for everyone.

“We want to win every race for the Army, but you can imagine how much more we’ll want to win the Richmond event. It would be a very special, touching moment if we could drive into victory lane carrying the names of those great Americans.”

The Fallen:

Rank	First	Middle	Last
SPC	Craig	S.	Amundson
MSG (RET)	Max	J.	Beilke
	Carrie	R.	Blagburn
COL	Canfield	D.	Boone
	Donna	M.	Bowen
SFC	Jose	O.	Calderon-Olmedo
	Angelene	C.	Carter
	Sharon	A.	Carver
SFC (RET)	John	J.	Chada
	Ada	M.	Davis
LTC	Jerry	D.	Dickerson
	Amelia	V.	Fields
	Gerald	P.	Fisher
	Cortez		Ghee
	Brenda	C.	Gibson
COL (RET)	Ronald	F.	Golinski
	Diane		Hale-McKinzy
	Carolyn	B.	Halmon
	Sheila	M.S.	Hein
MAJ	Wallace	Cole	Hogan Jr.
SSG (RET)	Jimmie	I.	Holley
	Peggie	M.	Hurt
LTC	Stephen	Neil	Hyland Jr.
SGM	Lacey	B.	Ivory
LTC	Dennis	M.	Johnson
	Brenda		Kegler
	David	W.	Laychak
	Samantha	L.	Lightbourn-Allen
MAJ	Stephen	V.	Long
	Terence	M.	Lynch
	Teresa	M.	Martin
	Ada	L.	Mason-Acker
LTC	Dean	E.	Mattson
LTG	Timothy	J.	Maude
	Robert	J.	Maxwell
	Molly	L.	McKenzie
MAJ	Ronald	D.	Milam
	Odessa	V.	Morris
	Teddington	H.	Moy
	Diana	B.	Padro

MAJ	Clifford	L.	Patterson Jr.
	Scott		Powell
	Deborah	A.	Ramsaur
	Rhonda	S.	Rasmussen
	Martha	M.	Reszke
	Cecelia	E.	Richard
	Edward	V.	Rowenhorst
	Judy		Rowlett
	Robert	E.	Russell
CW4	William	R.	Ruth
	Marjorie	C.	Salamone
COL	David	M	Scales
	Janice	M.	Scott
	Michael	L.	Selves
	Marian	H.	Serva
	Antionette	M.	Sherman
	Donald	D.	Simmons
	Cheryle	D.	Sincock
	Gary	F.	Smith
	Patricia	J.	Statz
	Edna	L.	Stephens
SGM	Larry	L.	Strickland
LTC	Kip	P.	Taylor
	Sandra	C.	Taylor
SGT	Tamara	C.	Thurman
	Willie	Q.	Troy
LTC	Karen	J.	Wagner
	Meta	L.	Waller
SPC	Chin Sun Pak		Wells
SSG	Maudlyn	A.	White
	Sandra	L.	White
	Ernest	M.	Willcher
MAJ	Dwayne		Williams
	Edmond	G.	Young Jr.
	Lisa	L.	Young