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From the Marbles

Mon May 25, 2009 4:32 pm EDT

NASCAR's powerful moment of silence drives home the day

By Jay Busbee

NASCAR has a long tradition of patriotism and a deep connection with the military, so it's no surprise that they choose to honor our nation's holidays with a variety of tributes. But the moment of silence that was held at Monday's running of the Coca-Cola 600 may rank among the finest in the sport's history.

In response to President Obama's request for a time to reflect, NASCAR stopped the entire race. That doesn't happen in sports, ever. This isn't the seventh-inning stretch or a break between quarters; this is stopping play at an absolutely critical moment to remember why we're all here.

The drivers shut down all the cars, all crew members stepped shoulder-to-shoulder out on pit road, and Lowe's Motor Speedway lowered all flags to half mast. The result was one of the most moving moments you'll ever see at a sporting event:

For all the criticism that NASCAR takes, this is one moment when the sport did everything exactly right. Bravo, and thanks to all those who have sacrificed for the rest of us to be here.

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114 Comments

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  1. Carol
    1. Posted by Carol Mon May 25, 2009 5:01 pm EDT

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    I can't be first. Reminded me of Daytona when Sr won it finally.
  2. Carol
    2. Posted by Carol Mon May 25, 2009 5:02 pm EDT

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    I can be first? Can I have a cheezburger with that?
  3. Michael F
    3. Posted by Michael F Mon May 25, 2009 5:02 pm EDT

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    way to go nascar
  4. emmit t
    4. Posted by emmit t Mon May 25, 2009 5:03 pm EDT

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    was a very nice gesture with the stoppage and moment of silence. glad to see the fans was compliant aswell. jr needs to retire im a long time fan but hes just not competitive anymore hes like a waltrip run in low 20s to 30s every week this week not 100 laps in hes down 2 laps. im tired of cheering for some1 thats not competitive .mayfield thing they say they have a good system in place . b/s if so he wouldnt have been allowed to drive that day he put them all in harms way.
  5. leon m
    5. Posted by leon m Mon May 25, 2009 5:03 pm EDT

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    very cool thing to do in nascar
  6. Reds24
    6. Posted by Reds24 Mon May 25, 2009 5:03 pm EDT

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    outside of hearing taps, that was probably one of the more moving moments of silence I have witnessed in years... Thank God for this amazing country we live in and God Bless each and every solider that ever fought for our freedom... Thank you NASCAR for understanding how important it is to take out 60 seconds to remember all these amazing men and women
  7. XJ
    7. Posted by XJ Mon May 25, 2009 5:05 pm EDT

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    Bravo Nascar. A son of a decorated Korean war vet I appreciate what they did today.
  8. Carol
    8. Posted by Carol Mon May 25, 2009 5:09 pm EDT

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    Brought a tear to my eye, it did. Hi Reds!
  9. wolfmancan
    9. Posted by wolfmancan Mon May 25, 2009 5:10 pm EDT

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    that was amazing. thanks for bringing it up, Jay. it was a super cool move by NASCAR and was carried off beautifully. the most amazing thing was to hear the engine shut down. especially the last few - just shot down one at a time.
  10. Kiki
    10. Posted by Kiki Mon May 25, 2009 5:12 pm EDT

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    I thought that was beautiful and moving; a minute of silence to put everything in perspective. Thank you to all the men and women who have served this country.
  11. BleedBlueNYGNYY
    11. Posted by BleedBlueNYGNYY Mon May 25, 2009 5:14 pm EDT

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    Truly a great moment and perfectly done by nascar,as a veteran of oif and the granchild of ww2 veterans it means a whole lot to see how much people care and they remember what has been sacrificed for our life we live today.
  12. BleedBlueNYGNYY
    12. Posted by BleedBlueNYGNYY Mon May 25, 2009 5:21 pm EDT

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    Truly a great moment and hats off to nascar,As i am a veteran of OIF and the grandchild of ww2 veterans it is a unreal feeling to see people take the moment to think of all the sacrifice to give us our way of life.Truly great it was almost hard to believe
  13. Tatts
    13. Posted by Tatts Mon May 25, 2009 5:24 pm EDT

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    As a 90% Disabled Veteran I was not only moved to tears but I was so shocked by the move.Yes NASCAR has done some really stupid things,but when it comes to this weekend not only does Lowes Motorspeedway shine but all of NASCAR shines.I have sent the Vid to everyone on my Friends list and I made sure to send it to me as well.Thank You America for the chance to serve you.I am and will always be Proud to have served.If I knew at 19 how I would feel today at 52 My Hand would rise again to take the OATH.I was at Lowes in 2001 that fine Oct day that Humpy said"We are going to have to Posphone the race,I mean Delay the race.I think you all will want to hear what Peter Jennings has to say:With that the Big screans in the Infeild showed us BOMBING Afgistain for the taking of our plaines and Craching them into the World Trade Center,The Pentagon and in the Feild in PA.Please remember all of those HEROESwho gave their lives that Sept day.GOD BLESS
  14. miss priss
    14. Posted by miss priss Mon May 25, 2009 5:30 pm EDT

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    Awesome that they did that.
  15. Hula Girl
    15. Posted by Hula Girl Mon May 25, 2009 5:43 pm EDT

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    I grew up in the South, therefore, I grew up with NASCAR. I am still a fan, even though I live so far away in Hawaii. NASCAR is only getting better. The drivers are great athletes and are also giving back to the community, remembering those less fortunate. Keep up the good work.
  16. The Dodahman
    16. Posted by The Dodahman Mon May 25, 2009 5:59 pm EDT

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    Carol, what a completely assinine statement to make on a day revered by all who have fought for this country. There are some people in this world who make statements like that just to get a rise out of decent people. As a former US Marine this day is very special to me and I believe that was a very sincere and appropriate gesture on the part of NASCAR. As for you Carol you sound like a very bitter disenfranchised girl to me. Maybe it stems from your days as a ''Camp Follower ''.
  17. James Flowers
    17. Posted by James Flowers Mon May 25, 2009 6:08 pm EDT

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    To sum it up in ONE WORD... CLASS!!!... Way to go NASCAR!!!
  18. 70daytonaorigowner
    18. Posted by 70daytonaorigowner Mon May 25, 2009 6:10 pm EDT

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    I've heard scuttlebutt about the Oath being changed. Any truth to it and if so, what is the new wording? 43 years and I still can not listen to Taps.
    Semper Fi!
  19. Tracy
    19. Posted by Tracy Mon May 25, 2009 6:11 pm EDT

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    I was in awe of the moment of silence - I took that time to pray for my husband and his fellow soldiers in Iraq. And I agree, it wouldn't happen in any other sport. My favorite part was when the TV announcer (forget which one) said "God Bless America" - on national TV. The day we stop praying before a race will be my last race. Godspeed to our soldiers and indeed, God bless America!
  20. 70daytonaorigowner
    20. Posted by 70daytonaorigowner Mon May 25, 2009 6:13 pm EDT

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    Someone had posted earlier that Obama had requested/ordered a moment of silence at 3PM from ALL activities. Was mentioned that even a ball game stopped at 3PM
  21. Carol
    21. Posted by Carol Mon May 25, 2009 6:24 pm EDT

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    #16 Um, what? And you are who, exactly? Have I ever seen you here before? No! All I said was that it reminded me of Sr's Daytona win. It was a visual thing, see. Rows of crew? All standing shoulder to shoulder? I'm not a girl, I'm a woman whose children are old enough to drink legally, and I'm not nor have I ever been disenfranchised or a camp follower. I wasn't trying to get a rise out of anyone either, and you sound a bit too punchy to ME dude. How dare you question my patriotism!
  22. Carol
    22. Posted by Carol Mon May 25, 2009 6:26 pm EDT

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    70Daytona hi, Rick said ALL the baseball games were stopped as well. They did say on the FOX broadcast that the Obama has asked for it. Nice thought, that.
  23. art_tidesco
    23. Posted by art_tidesco Mon May 25, 2009 6:27 pm EDT

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    Wow! what away to remember all those who have served on Memorial Day ! Extremely moving even to a foreigner.
  24. Julie S
    24. Posted by Julie S Mon May 25, 2009 6:31 pm EDT

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    I thought it was AWESOME!!!
  25. Carol
    25. Posted by Carol Mon May 25, 2009 6:33 pm EDT

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    Hey, Art! Saw they were having celebrations in Italy this AM too, in honor of all the brave Americans buried there. Never knew they did that. Nice to know somebody besides us remembers.

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