Not only was this a significant day for the young men and women becoming Airmen, race fans at the track and millions of viewers at home got the opportunity to see a specialized Air Force Thunderbirds paint scheme on the No. 3 car driven by Erik Jones, driver of the Air Force-sponsored Legacy Motor Club team.
“It’s been an honor to represent the U.S. Air Force the last few years,” Jones said before the race. “My grandfather served, so I have a personal connection to them. To have Lt. Gen. Healy at the track with us this weekend is really special. We were so close to a win at Talladega in the fall, I would really like a chance to be there at the end and score a win for them to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Air Force Reserve.”
Jones placed sixth in the race that was eventually won by Kyle Busch.
