KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — NASCAR driver Cale Gale grew up knowing the importance of honoring our country’s “true heroes” -- the men and women of the armed forces who protect our nation.
His paternal grandfather, Claude Gale, Sr. served as an Army corporal during World War II and has been a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) [VFW Post 49, Mobile, Ala.]for more than 50 years. His father, Claude Gale, Jr. (Bubba) instilled in Cale a strong respect for the military and a love of racing, even naming him after legendary NASCAR driver Cale Yarborough.
The Gale family was delighted to learn that VFW would be teaming with Kevin Harvick, Inc. (KHI) and that Cale would have the opportunity to drive for VFW Racing.
"I couldn't be prouder of Cale," said Mobile, Ala., native Claude Gale Sr. "His father taught him everything he knows about racing, and to see him in a VFW-sponsored car is just great."
This Memorial Day weekend, Cale will have a special opportunity to pay tribute to his grandfather, and all veterans, when he drives the No. 77 VFW "Support the Troops Chevrolet" in the Carquest Auto Parts 300 at Lowe's (N.C.) Motor Speedway. Cale will join a number of Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series drivers who are kicking-off a national effort to raise funds for military families.
All will drive specially designed cars supporting branches of the military.
Gale will not only have the thrill of suiting up for his first race for VFW, but also for his first attempt at the Lowe's (N.C.) Motor Speedway this weekend.
When he takes the track for VFW Racing, Cale's family will be cheering him on and celebrating three generations of racing: Grandpa Gale raced boats, while his father, Bubba Gale, is a well-known late-model racer.
"I've always respected the work that the VFW does to help veterans and their families," said Cale. "A local VFW post sponsored my Little League baseball team when I was growing up, and so it's a real honor to wear the VFW name again as a driver of the No. 77 VFW Chevrolet."
ABOUT VFW:
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., the VFW is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the sacrifice and ensuring the rights of America's veterans through advocacy, support and community service, while promoting patriotism. The VFW offers an array of services to support veterans and their families throughout their military career, from active duty to honorably discharged.
ABOUT KEVIN HARVICK INC.:
Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001, is a 70,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. KHI houses two full-time Truck Series teams: the No. 33 Camping World/Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Chevrolet Silverado driven by three-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday, as well as the No. 2 American Commercial Lines/RVs.com Chevrolet Silverado, driven by three-time Truck Series champion Jack Sprague. KHI is also home to the No. 33 Camping World/RoadLoans.com/Rheem Chevrolet, driven by two-time Nationwide Series champion Kevin Harvick, Ron Hornaday and Cale Gale and the No. 77 Rheem/VFW Chevrolet competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
2008 marks KHI's fifth year of full-time competition in NASCAR's elite divisions. Please visit www.kevinharvickinc.com for more information.