By Jane Anderson, WPAOG Staff
NASCAR racing has become a part of the fabric of American life, as iconic as apple pie. And during Memorial Day weekend, the sport honored the solemn holiday by remembering CPT Joshua Byers ’96, emblazoning his name—alongside those of other fallen service members—on one of the 40 cars that raced in the Coca-Cola 600.
The 400-lap, 600-mile Cup Series race began at 6:00pm on May 25 at Charlotte Speedway in Concord, NC . A mid-race break brought all cars off the track, with their engines turned off, for a moment of silence in remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to the nation.
Byers would have loved the honor, according to his former roommate, LTC (R) Kevin Cutright ’96. “He was as fun-loving as he was serious about his profession,” Cutright recalled. An Honor Committee executive officer during his USMA days, Byers chose Armor as his branch upon graduation. He wanted to go to Ranger School, which is usually pursued by Infantry officers, not Armor, Cutright recalled. “Yet, he competed and secured a spot in Ranger School while he was in Armor training, and he rocked it,” Cutright said.
His devotion to high standards, which was cultivated in the Honor Committee, continued through his short but impactful career, Cutright noted. “It was rooted in the care he had for those he was in charge of,” Cutright said.
As company commander of Fox Troop, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based at Fort Carson, CO, Byers was an Army Ranger and conducted special operations missions. On July 23, 2003, Byers’ convoy was east of Baghdad, Iraq, when his vehicle was struck by an IED, killing him and severely wounding others.
When the time came to select a service member to be honored on one of the cars for Joe Gibbs Racing (No. 54), sponsor SAIA turned to Wreaths Across America (WAA). The trucking company had partnered with WAA to help furnish wreaths to several cemeteries, including Arlington National Cemetery and West Point Cemetery, according to Ray Ramu, executive vice president and chief customer officer for SAIA.
The naming rights were an honor in themselves, but Byers’ story held special meaning for SAIA, Ramu said. “CPT Byers’ last words were ‘Keep moving forward’ after his vehicle was hit; that resonates with trucking and NASCAR,” Ramu noted. Fittingly, the theme of WAA that year was also “Keep Moving Forward,” in honor of Byers.
Driver Ty Gibbs reflected on the fallen captain’s life during the race and the moment of silence. “You think about the ultimate sacrifice that Josh and all the fallen soldiers have given,” Gibbs said. “It’s a powerful moment and I’m glad we do it.”
Gibbs’ grandfather, Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing and a three-time Super Bowl-winning coach, expressed his pride in the tribute. “What we really hope to do is to use this opportunity to not only share their name, but really their story and the impact they made on behalf of our country and for all of us, as Americans,” he said. West Point’s link with Joe Gibbs Racing didn’t end as the checkered flag fell, either. Among the sponsors of the Byers’ car is Interstate Batteries, the president and CEO of which is USMA grad Philip Lain Hancock ’92.
