A group of military veterans who experienced catastrophic loss of limb injuries in war and now train at a gym in suburban Dallas participated today in the Falci Adaptive Motorsports program that allowed them to drive a former NASCAR stock car at Texas Motor Speedway.
The participants train at Oak Fit Gym located in Carrollton, Texas, and founded by former NFL linebacker David Vobora. Vobora founded the non-profit Adaptive Training Foundation in September 2014.
“Racing this car has been a dream of mine forever,” said Dan French, of Rockwell, Texas. “I grew up racing so being able to do something like this is unbelievable. It was an awesome experience.”
Falci Adaptive Motorsports, founded by Dr. Scott
Falci, a renowned Denver-based neurosurgeon, provided the race car adapted to allow full control with the use of just the driver’s head and mouth around the 1.5-mile oval.
“It was a fantastic day at Texas Motor Speedway with all our riders and drivers,” said Dr. Falci. “They got to ride at near race speed and then got to drive the car themselves either with the headset, driving the car with the head or mouth, or the hand controls. Just a great day.”
Also on hand was NASCAR driver Ross Chastain who gave the participants an up-close look at what it’s like to go 160+ miles per hour at Texas Motor Speedway.”I don’t know how you put it into words,” said Chastain, who will compete in all three NASCAR national series — Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Gander Outdoors Truck Series. “Whether they admit it or not, I think they were pretty nervous before we rolled out. There were all pretty calm when we were on the track and then when we would come onto pit road, they went crazy. If I can give them rides at 160 miles per hour as a way to give back for the service and sacrifice these guys have made, then it’s an honor.”
A full weekend of NASCAR racing excitement kicks off Friday, March 29 with the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Vankor 350, continues Saturday, March 30 with the NASCAR Xfinity Series My Bariatric Solutions 300 and culminates Sunday, March 31, with the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500. In addition, the Stadium SUPER Trucks Outdoor Powersports Offroad Rumble takes center stage three times: Saturday afternoon immediately following the My Bariatric Solutions 300 and Sunday, one before and the other 30 minutes after the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500.
Tickets can be purchased online HERE, by calling the Texas Motor Speedway Ticket Office at 817.215.8500, on the Texas Motor Speedway mobile app, or by visiting the Texas Motor Speedway Ticket Office Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
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