Local Fan Russ Friedman Wins NASCAR Contest, Race Name After Him

NASCAR essay contest winner Russ Friedman from Huntington Station, NY stopped by this morning to talk about the win and how NASCAR and Crown Royal will honor him with an official race inhis name. Friedman is a former Marine and a two-time recipient of the Purple Heart Award

Russ was selected from more than 5,000 entries for a 50-word essay that detailed his experience receiving two Purple Hearts while serving in Iraq. Russ wanted to take his time in the spot light to recognize those who serve our country and protect our welfare each day. He thought it was time to celebrate those individuals because you don’t hear as much about them as in year’s past. Relating to their experiences, Friedman knows what it feels like to get that extra boost of support and wants to do all he can to encourage their efforts.

Because of Friedman’s bravery and dedication to the United States Marine Corps:
- 400 tickets to military personnel will be given out leading up to the race at Richmond
- Honorary pit crew members from the US Marines will be at NASCAR races
- Giant cards and hood (signed by Cup Series drivers) that will be sent overseas following the race
- Pit stops by McMurray and Friedman at select military facilities

The Russ Friedman 400 will take place on Saturday, May 2 at Richmond International Raceway. Friedman, a Huntington Station, NY, native, will be king of the race weekend serving as Grand Marshal, delivering the trophy to the race winner in Victory Lane and in lieu of his efforts will surely be seen as a hero by the NASCAR community for his efforts.

Friedman enlisted in the Marines at 20 just before Sept. 11th, following the lead of a friend's brother who embraced the Corps' direction and motivation. When terrorists crashed airliners into the Twin Towers, however, Friedman took it personally and requested to fight overseas. He did two stints in Iraq, in 2003 and 2004.

He was awarded his first purple heart in 2003 after he was struck by shrapnel when an IED exploded near his vehicle west of Baghdad. He earned his second in 2004 after he was wounded when his unit was ambushed near Karbala. The shrapnel severed a nerve in his left arm, and he caught fragments in his shoulders, back, buttocks and lower leg. His vest saved his life, but the wound left him unable to handle a weapon and has thereby since been unable to serve in active duty.

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