After being postponed a day for rain and enduring a roughly fifty-six minute rain delay, the 50th running of the Coca-Cola 600 was red flagged at 3pm E.T. for a much different reason. Racing on the Memorial Day holiday, NASCAR officials made the call to halt the race to take part in a moment of silence to honor those lost in defense of this great nation.

In one of the most moving moments in recent memory, the entire field was stopped on the frontstretch and the engines cut off. Crew members from every team made their way to the edge of their pit boxes and the flags around the speedway were lowered to half mast. The crowd in the stands came to their feet and for a few moments the entire Lowe’s Motor Speedway came to a hush.

It is easy to get caught up in everything going on in our lives, but on a day when our nation remembers the men and women that sacrificed so much for our freedom it is fitting to pause and honor them.

Thanks to all of the members of the United States Armed Services and their families that have given and continue to give so much for our safety and security.

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