For the NASCAR Cup race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Denny Hamlin has something special planned. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver starts the race in 4th place and will be hoping for a win or at least a good result. This is because, the Coca-Cola 600 is a special race, as drivers often run with special liveries. And naturally, Hamlin is one of them, and it appears that he took his tribute livery a step further.

As it happens, he is paying tribute to a US Army soldier who lost his life in the Iraq war.

Denny Hamlin Revealed Why He Was Paying Tribute to the Fallen Soldier

The soldier in question is Kevin J Smith, who died at 28. According to reports, the army man lost his life when a bomb detonated near his convoy.

Talking to Claire B. Lang, ahead of the iconic race, telling her about the significance of it all, Hamlin said, “Yeah, no doubt about it. Kevin is from Georgia, was a victim in Baghdad during the Iraqi freedom operation.”

“I like listening to their parents or the relatives and hear their story. You can try to read about them as much as you can and you hear their story through words on paper. But hearing the story from the relatives, kind of touches you in a bigger manner.”

“Especially for me, I get to spend some time with his dad and stepmom this weekend. Kinda really understand his story and what he’s done for our country. Just say thank you to them for making that sacrifice”

As the #11 driver mentioned, he wanted to go for a more personal connection. That was why he chose to speak to the late soldier’s family instead of looking up news articles about him. After all, the family would know him the best, so Hamlin would be able to glean the kind of person that he was. Additionally, the Joe Gibbs Racing star ensured that he thanked the family for their son’s services.

READ MORE: Denny Hamlin’s Ally Delivers Ultimatum to North Wilkesboro if It Wants to Remain on the NASCAR Calendar

The Joe Gibbs Racing Driver Spoke of How He & His Fellow Drivers Handle Pre-Race Tributes

Trending

Joe Gibbs Racing Potentially Blocking Truck Series Phenom on Denny Hamlin’s Radar After On-Track Bad Blood

NASCAR Fans Back Kyle Busch’s Son’s Desperate Plea Amidst Denny Hamlin’s ‘Bad Luck’ Reluctance

Reality Struck Shane van Gisbergen Has His Playoffs Chances Cut Short Even Before His Full Time Debut in 2025

After Dale Jr., Joey Logano Blames NASCAR for Creating ‘Bulldozers’, Destroying ‘Respect’ in Cup Series

Trackhouse Racing’s Drastic Downfall to Potentially Get Worse With One of Their Founding Fathers Leaving Mid-Season

Hamlin continued, “It’s definitely different. We’ve done a moment of silence before, for some stuff. I know we did stuff during COVID, but it just seems that during the 600 when we stop… LIke we’re all pumped full of adrenaline and then we’re thinking about all these things. No matter how busy our minds may be or the crew chief is maybe thinking about information. ‘Do I need to make the car better?’. When we come down here to pit, everyone just stops. Myself personally, I stop my brain, I stop everything. Just sit there in silence and reflect.”

Denny Hamlin was referring to occasions like Memorial Day. For the unaware, this is a public holiday dedicated to remembering fallen soldiers who gave their lives to protect their country. There have been a fair number of times in NASCAR history when a race weekend coincided with Memorial Day. The same is true for this year’s edition of the Coca-Cola 600, and Hamlin found the perfect person to pay tribute to.

WATCH THIS STORY: “What in the Hell Did I Just Watch”: Denny Hamlin Receives Support After His Cry for Help