I don't care what you think about NASCAR, the Ride for Recovery is a great idea

[taterguy]

Wounded soldiers ride for recovery

By Sal Ruibal, USA TODAY

U.S. Army Captain Ferris Butler lost his left leg and most of his right foot when an improvised explosive device ripped through his Humvee while on patrol in Iraq. For 15 months, a glum Butler was confined to a wheelchair while doctors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., worked to get him walking again.

But before he could walk, he had to learn how to ride.

On March 4, Butler received his first "bike leg" prosthetic and promptly went for a ride in nearby Rock Creek Park with other Walter Reed military amputees and former pro cyclist and Mercury pro team manager John Wordin.

With a little help and lots of encouragement, Butler made his way up some short, but steep, hills.

Just 70 days later, a tanned and fit Butler walked into the office of U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and told the cycling senator about his next big challenge: Tuesday's start of the six-day, 480-mile Road 2 Recovery bike ride from Walter Reed to Charlotte and a lap around Lowe's Motor Speedway before the start of Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race.

More here:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2008-05-19-veterans_N.htm

Of course I'm biased due to my fondness for cycling. Flame away.

[FARAFIELD]

1. No flaming necessary

Great story and I had heard about that (I live in High Point NC). Nascar is like every other corporate entity sometimes they are myopic and such, but they can do good things as well. IM not a NASCAR fan AT ALL, but still they recognize the power of the symbol, and at long last they have realized that they (NASCAR) can do something to help. A couple years ago they might NOT have because it would have been perceived as "EMBARRASING the PREZ", now though they realize its about the men and women and not what the prez things about things. IM hopeful that NASCAR with their base of fans can do some good.

[taterguy]

2. It's obvious that they're doing good for the participants in today's ride

Hell, it's enough to make me want to watch the race just to see if they show the cyclists taking their victory lap.

I have no doubt that it'll be a great moment for the people involved and that matters more to me than anything else.