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By Souza Media/Kyle Souza
JENNERSTOWN, Pa. – For the second straight year, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour teams will carry the names of fallen heroes on the roof of their rides this weekend at Jennerstown Speedway. As part of the Jennerstown Salutes event, in collaboration with Operation Vet NOW Inc. (OVN), NASCAR and JDV Productions, all teams in the Modified field will be racing to honor a veteran.
New for 2022, the Jennerstown Martella’s Pharmacies Late Models will honor the 13 fallen members of the 14th Quartermasters Unit, with each driver carrying a name of one of the fallen.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour points leader Ron Silk will carry the name of Army National Guard Specialist Chad Edmundson for the Jennerstown Salutes 150. The Edmundson family will also serve as the Grand Marshals of the Jennerstown Salutes event at the track on Saturday.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour caution vehicle will carry the name of Pedro 66 in a special tribute. Pedro 66 was the call sign of a helicopter crew lost in Afghanistan, including Captain David Wisnieski, First Lieutenant Joel Gentz, Staff Sergeant David Smith, Technical Sergeant Michael Flores, and Senior Airman Benjamin White.
A full list of which car will carry which name is available at the bottom of the story for both the Whelen Modified Tour and the Jennerstown Late Models.
“Without the support from NASCAR and the entire OVN team, none of this would be possible,” Josh Vanada, owner of JDV Productions, said. “All of the fallen heroes gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country and we are forever thankful for them and their families. We take deep pride in making sure we honor them on this special weekend of Memorial Day, and look forward to seeing everyone at Jennerstown for this special event.”
Operation Vet NOW Inc. (OVN), a non-profit organization established to reduce veteran suicide and improve the overall wellness of veterans, regardless of era served, through innovative outreach experiences. OVN concentrates on veterans who suffer from the invisible injuries of PTSD, TBI, combat and transition stress issues, and mental health concerns, stemming from military service, connecting them to heal their mind, body and soul.
Race day at Jennerstown will begin with qualifying heats at 3:45 p.m. for Jennerstown’s house divisions, beginning with the Fast 4’s. Feature racing is scheduled to hit the track just after 6:15 p.m., with the Whelen Modified Tour Jennerstown Salutes 150 scheduled for 8 p.m. A full race day schedule and additional event information is available at jdvproductions.com/jennerstown-salutes-150.
On Saturday at 5:20 p.m., fans will be able to walk onto the track for an autograph session with drivers from all divisions, including the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, prior to the green flag for racing. Following the autograph session, there will be a set of special Memorial Day pre-race ceremonies, beginning at 5:45 p.m.
For those fans who can’t make it to the track, the entire night of racing, beginning with the pre-race ceremonies at 5:45 p.m., will air live on FloRacing.TV.
Advance tickets for the event are available at JDVProductions.com. Tickets for Jennerstown Salutes are $35 in general admission, with military member admission just $30. Kids 12 and under will enter the grandstands for free. As part of a special opportunity, the JDV Experience is also available for race fans to purchase for $125. The JDV Experience will include preferred seating, two beer vouchers, a concession stand voucher, a private autograph session with select Whelen Modified Tour drivers, a private Whelen Modified Tour inspection tour, and more. To purchase, visit JDVProductions.com
For more information on Jennerstown Speedway, visit Jennerstown.org. For more information on Operation Vet NOW Inc., Opvetnow.org. For more information on JDV Productions, visit JDVProductions.com and follow on social media for the latest updates leading into the race and on race day.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Fallen Heroes List
29 Spencer Davis – Air Force Master Sergeant John Chapman
26 Gary McDonald – Air Force Staff Sergeant Dylan Elchin
Caution Vehicle – Air Force Pedro 66
71 James Pritchard Jr. – Air Force Major James Crew
3 Jake Johnson – Army Staff Sergeant Glen Stivison
32 Tyler Rypkema – Army Staff Sergeant Casey Howe
36 Dave Sapienza – Army Specialist Michael Hook
22 Kyle Bonsignore – Army Sergeant First Class Raymond Buchan
01 Melissa Fifield– Army Sergeant Patrick C Hawkins
7 Mike Christopher Jr – Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Brent Adams
16 Ron Silk – Army National Guard Specialist Chad Edmundson
07 Patrick Emerling – Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Robert Fike
5 Kyle Ebersole – Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Bryan Hoover
77 Max McLaughlin – Army National Guard LTC Michael McLaughlin
58 Eric Goodale – Army National Guard Specialist Mark Melcher
54 Tommy Catalano – Army National Guard Sergeant Rudy Flaim
34 J.B. Fortin – Army National Guard Staff Sergeant David Veverka
79 Jon McKennedy – Marine Lieutenant Commander Christopher Raible
2 JR Bertuccio – Marine Sergeant Derek Shanfield
64 Rob Summers – Marine Staff Sergeant Joseph Patrick
82 Craig Lutz – Marine Lance Corporal Ryan Kovaciecek
51 Justin Bonsignore – Navy Petty Officer Third Class Robert Gilbertson
24 Andrew Krause – Navy Chief Petty Officer Nicholas Checque
14th Quartermaster Detachment, Greensburg, PA Fallen Heroes (Jennerstown Late Models)
SPC Richard V. Wolverton, 22, Latrobe, PA
Sgt. Alan B. Craver, 32, Penn Hills, PA
Sgt. Joseph P Bongiorni III, 20, Hickory, PA
Sgt. Frank J. Walls, 20, Hawthorne, PA
SPC Anthony E. Madison, 27, Monessen, PA
SPC Thomas G. Stone, 20, Falconer, NY
SPC John A Boliver Jr., 27, Monongahela, PA
SPC Steven J Siko, 24, Unity, PA
Sgt. John T. Boxler, 44, Johnstown, PA
SPC Christine L. Mayes, 22, Rochester Mills, PA
SPC Steven E. Atherton, 26, NurMine, PA
SPC Frank S. Keough, 22, North Huntington, PA
SPC Beverly S. Clark, 23, Armagh, PA
