Staff Sgt. Michael Gainey and his wife, Anne Marie, enjoy the festivities at the 2008 Coca Cola 600 NASCAR race near Charlotte, N.C. Gainey, from Albemarle, N.C., was honored at the race as a "hometown hero." The No. 8 car is owned by the Dale Earnhardt Inc. racing team. (Photo courtesy of Michael Gainey)

Staff Sgt. Michael Gainey and his wife, Anne Marie, enjoy the festivities at the 2008 Coca Cola 600 NASCAR race near Charlotte, N.C. Gainey, from Albemarle, N.C., was honored at the race as a “hometown hero.” The No. 8 car is owned by the Dale Earnhardt Inc. racing team. (Photo courtesy of Michael Gainey)