No Result
View All Result
Military Families
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
 Military Families
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Military Families

Retired Green Beret partners with NASCAR team for suicide prevention

Crystal Kupper
by Crystal Kupper
September 24, 2020
NASCAR team suicide prevention Military Families Magazine

Marine veteran Greg Boudah, owner of sponsor The Jewelry Republic, talking with Racing For Heroes Founder Mike Evock, a retired Green Beret.

ShareTweetEmail

When the doctor put Mike Evock into a racecar simulator, the retired Green Beret had no idea why. 

“I said, ‘What the heck is this?’ he said. “But the doc said you don’t realize how much we do when we drive.” 

It proved to be a turning point in Evock’s life. With over 50 significant injuries from multiple IED explosions and a helicopter crash, the chief warrant officer struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. He often had trouble sleeping and was in physical pain. 

But then he got behind the wheel of a racecar and his life got back on track, so to speak.

“The car really helps out [with PTSD and TBI],” Evock said. “It doesn’t make sense, but racing really helps with hand-eye coordination, calming your brain down and helping you sleep. So, racing helps with the rest of your life, too.” 

Helping heroes

Inspired by his healing journey, Evock founded Racing for Heroes in 2009 in order to support his fellow Special Forces brethren. The nonprofit uses motorsports as a platform to honor and assist military members across the nation.

NASCAR team suicide prevention Military Families Magazine
Driver Colin Garrett at the car hauler

It was a match made in racing heaven when he teamed with NASCAR owner Sam Hunt and driver Colin Garrett, the youngest duo in the Xfinity Series. Both of Garrett’s brothers are active-duty soldiers, while one of Hunt’s best friends is a Navy SEAL. 

Besides their strong military ties, all three men were concerned with the growing epidemic of veteran suicide in America. Nearly 20 veterans kill themselves each day nationwide, more than 1.5 times the civilian rate. More than one of Evock’s former co-workers and friends are among that number. 

“When you hear about [a new suicide], it has just a huge effect,” Evock said. “Just knowing that there was a way for them to do something other than what they did.” 

The car that Garrett drives now features the Racing for Heroes logo — but that’s just the most visible portion of the partnership. Through the various races throughout the season, the “Our American Dream Team” gets television time and other media appearances, chances to crowd-fund for veterans’ causes, face time with veterans and their families and the opportunity to speak to NASCAR fans about military suicide prevention.

“With the national stage we’re on, [this cause] is something we get to do,” Garrett said. “At the end of the day, racecar driving is probably five percent of our job. It’s all about what leads up to it, all the social media, the TV time getting to have a voice to talk about veteran suicide and prevention, getting to hang out at the track with the veterans themselves.” 

NASCAR team suicide prevention Military Families Magazine

Changing the NASCAR normal

The unusual partnership between Hunt and his crew alongside Racing for Heroes has allowed for some unique business moves. Instead of traditional corporate sponsors with deep pockets, “Our American Dream Team” is crowdfunding through everyday joes, especially military- and military spouse-owned small business owners. A recent example includes raising more than $200,000 to pay for a veteran’s stem cell treatments. 

“At first the people around NASCAR called us ‘the people’s team’ jokingly, but now they call us ‘the people’s team’ respectfully,” Lisa Kipps-Brown, a pro bono marketing strategist for the partnership and wife of a Vietnam veteran, said. “We are determined to make this all happen, and we have big dreams.” 

Those dreams include moving up to the Cup Series (NASCAR’s top-level), generating enough funding to help pay for veterans’ medical and alternative treatments, providing small military business funding and establishing a Racing for Heroes medical center. 

A man recently approached Garrett at a speedway with the Racing for Heroes logo on his truck. 

“He told me how appreciative he is of what we’re doing, what we’re trying to accomplish,” Garrett said. “It’s one big family here, and if a veteran comes to the track, they can be a part of it.” 

The Military Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource for service members, available at 800-273-8255 or text 838255. 

Read comments
Tags: NASCARRacing for Heroessuicide prevention
Share48Tweet30Send
Crystal Kupper

Crystal Kupper

Crystal Kupper is a writer, photographer, runner, mom of (at least) four, and Air Force wife currently stationed in Arizona. There's nowhere she'd rather be outside than with her family or chatting about orphan justice.

Related Posts

President signs historic toxic exposure bill extending benefits to millions of veterans
Military News

President signs historic toxic exposure bill extending benefits to millions of veterans

3 days ago
Presumed sick? Burn pit legislation receives bipartisan support, awaits president’s signature
Military News

Presumed sick? Burn pit legislation receives bipartisan support, awaits president’s signature

2 weeks ago
New Army policy seeks to ‘normalize parenthood’ for soldiers
Military News

New Army policy seeks to ‘normalize parenthood’ for soldiers

3 weeks ago
Military families less likely to recommend joining up, survey finds
Military News

Military families less likely to recommend joining up, survey finds

1 month ago
military endurance
Sports

Military endurance group connects like-minded athletes

1 month ago
New reserve maternity-leave policy issued 18 months after congressional order
Military Benefits

New reserve maternity-leave policy issued 18 months after congressional order

1 month ago

Ads

Military News, delivered to your inbox

Get a free copy of MILITARY FAMILIES delivered to your inbox each month

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL

GET RESOURCES

  • MILITARY EDUCATION GUIDE

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • CFC/NONPROFITS
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • PITCH US
  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2022 Military Families by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Military Life
    • Deployment
    • Relocation
    • Military Spouses
    • Military Kids
  • Education
  • Career
    • Transition
    • Entrepreneur
  • Veterans
  • Health
  • Money
    • Military Deals & Discounts
  • Travel
    • Beyond the Base
  • OFF DUTY
    • Food & Recipes
    • Book Reviews & Roundups
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
  • About us
    • Our story
    • Our team
    • Our writers
  • Magazine
    • Get print
    • Get digital
  • Advertise
    • Get our media kit
    • CFC/Nonprofits
    • Publisher’s statement
  • Submissions
    • Pitch us
    • Submit your story
    • Book club
  • Get Resources
    • Military Education Guide

© 2022 Military Families by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW.