Richard Childress honors military at Dover as he and his team, in partnership with Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, launch a weekend of events at Dover Motor Speedway to show gratitude for active duty U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Childress, Kyle Busch, and Cheddar’s representatives engaged with over 200 service members at Dover Air Force Base, capping the visit with a new patriotic car reveal and a special lunch celebration.
Collaborative Tribute at Dover Air Force Base
Friday’s festivities brought Childress, Busch, and team members to the local Air Force base, where they engaged with dignitaries, military families, and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen employees who also serve or have served. Attendees enjoyed a catered lunch, reflecting the organization’s focus on honoring service and community support.
The centerpiece of the tribute is Busch’s No. 8 chevrolet/”>Chevrolet, freshly unveiled in a bold patriotic design dedicated to members of the U.S. Armed Forces. This gesture marks a public salute to military commitment and recognizes the strong ties between NASCAR and American service members.
Voices From the Partnership and Community
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen emphasized the importance of connecting the NASCAR event to their own veterans and the greater military community:
“We’re honored to join the No. 8 team at Dover Air Force Base to unveil our new patriotic paint scheme and recognize our Cheddar’s Veterans,”
said John Felton, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. —John Felton, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
“It’s a meaningful way to celebrate our connection to the NASCAR community and show appreciation for those who serve, both in our restaurants and across the country.”
—John Felton, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
Kyle Busch spoke directly to the gratitude NASCAR holds for military families, especially those involved in both the race day and the Cheddar’s workforce:
“Thank you to all of our U.S. military families, especially the folks at Dover Air Force Base and the 67 Cheddar’s employees who are featured on the No. 8 car this weekend,”
said Busch. —Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
“Fans across the country have made Cheddar’s a part of their race day traditions, including many who have served our country. It means a lot to be able to represent them on the track with a special patriotic paint scheme.”
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
Richard Childress himself reflected on the moving experience of connecting directly with military members:
“What an honor to spend the day with the men and women at Dover Air Force Base,”
said Childress. —Richard Childress, Owner of Richard Childress Racing
“These service members are true heroes. Everyone at RCR is proud to partner with Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen on a patriotic paint scheme designed to honor those who served.”
—Richard Childress, Owner of Richard Childress Racing
NASCAR Weekend and Community Celebration
Kyle Busch, who has enjoyed strong results at Dover Motor Speedway, takes pole position for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in his newly wrapped Chevrolet. Notably, the design includes tribute elements for 67 Cheddar’s employees who served, underscoring the close-knit relationships among team members, fans, and active military.
The race, scheduled for 2 p.m. ET, will be broadcast nationally via TNT Sports, Performance Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, drawing attention to both the competition and the greater celebration of military service throughout the event weekend.
Celebrating Service and Looking Ahead
The collaborative homage led by Richard Childress Racing and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen not only shines a spotlight on those who served but also brings together racing fans, military families, and community partners. Events like these at Dover Motor Speedway further cement NASCAR’s longstanding support for the armed forces, while also uniting diverse groups around shared principles of respect and appreciation for American service members. As this initiative’s momentum continues, it reinforces the powerful bond between the sport, its fans, and the nation’s heroes.
