Daytona International Speedway is getting a new tradition this fall. Ford, NASCAR, Blue Star Families, IMSA, and Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) have teamed up to launch the inaugural Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, a race and concert event set for November 11 that doubles as a fundraiser for military and veteran-serving nonprofits. For a community built around the idea that a finish line can be a lifeline, it's a reminder that support for veterans and their families keeps showing up in new corners of American sport.
Six Teams, One Branch Each
The centerpiece of the day is a field of Ford Mustang Dark Horse Rs split into six teams, each one representing a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Ford Racing drivers behind the wheel include Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Logan Sargeant, Noah Gragson, Frankie Muniz, and Ben Hobson, according to Ford's official event announcement. The format turns a standard exhibition race into a tribute, with each branch's team racing for bragging rights and a shared cause rather than points.
Music is part of the draw too. Zac Brown Band will headline the evening's concert, with additional performers still to be announced.
Where the Ticket Money Goes
Tickets went on sale September 14 through Ticketmaster, with early-bird pricing starting at $110 and a 20% discount for veterans and active-duty service members available through GovX, as detailed in Ford's ticketing information. Organizers say every dollar raised is earmarked for six nonprofits serving the military and veteran community: Blue Star Families, Camp Southern Ground, Disabled American Veterans, TAPS, Team Rubicon, and the Travis Manion Foundation.
Ford Philanthropy has also already distributed 1,000 complimentary tickets to eligible military and veteran families through those partner organizations, a head start on making sure the people the event honors can actually attend.
Why This Matters Beyond the Track
Big-brand motorsport partnerships don't always translate into meaningful support for veterans, but this one is structured so the fundraising is the point, not an afterthought bolted onto a race weekend. It joins a growing list of race organizers building real access and real dollars into events built around service and sacrifice, alongside long-running efforts like the Spartan Race Honor Tour, which discounts entries for military, law enforcement, and first responders.
That's the same barrier Operation WarriorFit was built to knock down. A race entry fee of $150 or $200 can be the difference between signing up for something that gives a veteran or first responder structure, purpose, and a community that expects them to show up, or not signing up at all. If you're a veteran, service member, or first responder curious whether your next race, marathon, or Spartan event could be free, check your eligibility and browse upcoming races near you.