SPARTA, Ky. – PBR and its new patriotic voice, all-American country rocker Ryan Weaver, will be on the hood of a NASCAR racecar at Kentucky Speedway this weekend.

The former Black Hawk helicopter pilot is being promoted by Veterans Motorsports Inc., which fields the No. 74 Dodge driven by Mike Harmon in the NASCAR XFINITY Series.

“In partnering with PBR, one of my main goals is to honor our nation's heroes,” Weaver said. “That falls in line with the race team’s mission to support our veterans, especially those injured in war. I love loud, fast cars, so that makes this weekend’s paint scheme and the awareness we’ll bring to the issue of PTSD even cooler!”

Veterans Motorsports Inc. was founded by Steve Morgan, a U.S. Marine who wanted a vehicle to employ and inspire combat-wounded and PTSD-affected vets.  In fact, eight veterans are on the pit and mechanical crew of the No. 74 Mike Harmon Racing Dodge.

“I’ve lost 15 personal friends due to PTSD related issues,” said Karyn Marinella-Cochran, Chief Operations Officer for Mike Harmon Racing/Veterans Motorsports Inc. “We push hard to get veterans who are struggling to the track. It can help bring a whole new outlook to their lives.”

Marinella-Cochran is also the wife of an 18-year active duty Naval Petty Officer.

Weaver lost both his brother and brother in law, who were also helicopter pilots, in combat in the Middle East. His strong military ties include performing on “Songs that Save Our Lives,” an album by the West Point’s Benny Havens Band. “Unfriendly Fire,” his song on the record, has been short-listed for GRAMMY Awards consideration in the Best American Roots category.

Weaver first connected with PBR at a veterans event. PBR CEO Sean Gleason caught his rollicking performance at a Colorado fundraiser for the American Soldier Network, which works to help end veteran suicide.

Fans can see Weaver’s high-energy patriotic act that captured Gleason’s attention at the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas on Nov. 4 and 5.

This weekend’s special paint scheme, which includes the PBR Celebrate America logo, is the organization’s second recent collaboration with NASCAR. In August, bull riders and speed racers teamed up when Gage Gay and Reese Cates visited Watkins Glen International for the Monster Energy Series race.

“Going to the race was an opportunity to win new fans over to our sport,” Cates, the 2008 PBR Rookie of the Year, said at a track press conference. “The PBR and NASCAR have a lot of crossover fans. They may not know a lot about bull riding. We get the chance to expose them to PBR and teach them about this great sport.”

Gay, who is from NASCAR country in North Carolina, sees similarities in the sports’ appeal to fans.

“People come to see a race, but if there’s a wreck, they ain’t looking away,” Gay said. “It’s the same at PBR. Fans want to see us ride, but they’re not covering their eyes when we wreck.” 

Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway, Weaver will be rooting on Mike Harmon to pilot the No. 74 to the green flag dent-free.