MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Nashville Superspeedway, Rackley Roofing and the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center at Middle Tennessee State University are teaming up for the second year in a row to support collaborative efforts to honor active troops and support student veterans.
The organizations are focusing their efforts during the 2023 NASCAR race weekend on the Rackley Roofing 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, scheduled for Friday, June 23.
At the Nashville Superspeedway, MTSU students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters can purchase discount tickets to the Rackley Roofing 200, with a portion of the ticket proceeds benefiting the Daniels Center. Rackley Roofing doubles the amount raised from the sale of discounted tickets. Discount tickets for Friday’s race can be purchased at www.mtsu.edu/superspeedway.
“I am very pleased that this win-win-win relationship with Nashville Superspeedway, Rackley Roofing and the Daniels Center continues to flourish,” said MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee. “It’s a great opportunity for all of us not only to support our student veterans, but also to encourage our community to join in the excitement of race weekend at Friday’s night race.”
The race on June 23 starts at 7:00 p.m. and the gates open to the public from 4:00 p.m. Free parking is available at the Superspeedway.
Founded in 1974, Rackley Roofing has five locations across the state and is based in Carthage, Tennessee. Curtis Sutton, owner and CEO of Rackley Roofing, is also a part owner of Rackley WAR No. 25 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driven by Matt DiBenedetto. Michelle Boykin, Rackley’s Chief Operating Officer, is a MTSU graduate and graduated from Jennings A. Jones College of Business with an accounting degree in 2006.
“Rackley Roofing is excited to once again partner with Nashville Superspeedway and the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center by doubling discount ticket sales for the upcoming Rackley 200,” said Sutton. “Any time Rackley, as an organization, is able to give back to our active duty military and student veterans, we are honored and honored to do so. We look forward to seeing everyone at the home track on Friday 23rd June and hope for a great turnout at this event!”
Both Sutton and Superspeedway Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Greci visited the MTSU campus and toured the Daniels Center at the invitation of retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, MTSU’s senior adviser on veterans and leadership initiatives.
“We are so proud to be a part of the incredible fibers of Middle Tennessee, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support the Daniels Center and its efforts to honor active duty troops and support student veterans,” said Greci.
The Daniels Center provides MTSU’s more than 1,200 students with military connections with a one-stop shop to meet a variety of academic needs. It allows students associated with the military to learn, meet, and receive help from other veterans who act as peer advisors and sponsors. It is also a resource for veterans and their families without the limitation or requirement of being a student, faculty member, or staff member of MTSU.
Huber founded the center in 2015 and led the initiative to name it after its main patrons, country music legend Charlie Daniels and his wife Hazel. Daniels remained an enthusiastic supporter of the center until his death in the summer of 2020, and his wife carries on that legacy.
“The Daniels Center, our veterans and their valued military members are grateful for their true partnership with both Rackley and Superspeedway,” said Huber. “Our military appreciate and easily identify with the high-speed skills, personal stamina and essential teamwork of the pit crew required for racing success.”
MTSU’s Army ROTC Color Guard will present the colors before the start of the Rackley Roofing 200 on Friday, June 23, and the Daniels Center will be honored before the start of each race as part of Superspeedway’s recognition of active troops and veterans. The center will also have a booth in the fan zone in front of the main gate throughout the weekend.
Friday’s race is followed by the Tennessee Lottery 250 NASCAR race on Saturday, June 24th
In addition to working with Superspeedway, the Daniels Center has participated in military recognition efforts by other Nashville brands, including the Nashville Predators, the Nashville Sounds, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.
To learn more about the Daniels Center, go to https://mtsu.edu/military.
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