Atlanta Motor Speedway has announced the Grand Marshal for the Degree V12 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race to be held on September 5th.

Crystal Beale, an Army widow from McDonough, GA, will give the famous command during the pre-race ceremony.

Beale’s husband, SFC John C. Beale, was killed from wounds suffered following an IED blast and small arms fire on June 4th in Afghanistan.

“We’re honored to host Crystal Beale as our Grand Marshal for the Degree V12 300,” Ed Clark, Atlanta Motor Speedway president and general manager, said. “Crystal’s presence will not only serve as a memoriam to her husband John, but also to all of America’s heroes who have been lost serving to protect our freedoms.”

Beale is proud to honor her husband’s memory in this way.

“My husband would be very happy with our community if he knew the level of outpouring and support,” she said. “Being selected is very humbling and it was a very big surprise. My children are ecstatic and we’re honored to be able to participate.”

John C. Beale served in the United States Army from 1989 through 1994 and was deployed in Operation Desert Storm during his enlistment. In 2005, he returned to service and joined the Army National Guard.

 MORE NASCAR NEWS