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NASCAR-CTS: Craftsman Drivers Pay Tribute to Veterans

27 June 1998

MILWAUKEE, WI-A handful of NASCAR Craftsman drivers will visit the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center on Thursday, July 2 between 3:00-5:00 pm to pay tribute to the war veterans, patients and staff at the 130 year-old facility.

Stacy Compton, driver of the #86 Royal Crown Ford, Jimmy Hensley and Butch Miller with the Dodge teams, along with Barry Bodine, son of Winston Cup driver Geoff Bodine are scheduled for the visit. All five are competing in the DIEHARD 200 at the Milwaukee Mile on Saturday, July 4th.

"These veterans are true American heroes," Compton stated. "I have always respected the men and women who fought for our country, that's the type of dedication you'll find in NASCAR."

Jimmy Hensley, driver of the #43 Cummins Dodge is a Army veteran who is in his fourth decade of racing. The Ridgeway, Virginia native is honored to be selected as one of the drivers who will tour the VA hospital.

"I'm proud of our American veterans," said Hensley. "We should always remember those who served our country."

The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center provides quality care to 32,536 patients who annually have 6,268 inpatient admissions and 301,185 outpatient visits. The facility cares for the majority of Wisconsin's 520,000 veterans who use VA medical services and is home to 750 volunteers who donated 144,172 hours of service last year.

The drivers received items from NASCAR, Dodge, Royal Crown Cola and Richard Petty Enterprises to donate to the patients. Royal Crown Cola will present an American Flag to the staff at the hospital to fly over one of the dormitories.