Justin Moore, Big Machine Records And Crown Royal Award Local Firefighter Naming Rights To July 29 Nascar Race In Indianapolis
Pictured (L-R): Justin Moore, Big Machine Label Group President and CEO Scott Borchetta, Vice President of Whisky, Diageo North America Yvonne Briese, Curtiss Shaver, Troy Alabama Mayor Jimmy Lunsford, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and CEO Jeff Belskus and Troy firefighters.
(Photo Courtesy of Big Machine Label Group)
When local firefighters saved Troy native Curtiss Shaver’s life during a tragic farming accident, Shaver knew he’d found his calling. Though the accident claimed the lower part of his left leg, Shaver persevered and began a lifelong career as a firefighter and certified EMT with the goal of giving back to his community. At Troy Fire Station No. 1 on Wednesday (7/18), Justin Moore performed a special acoustic set to surprise Shaver in celebration of the local firefighter winning of Crown Royal’s “Your Hero’s Name Here” program.
The national contest renames the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) on July 29 after a deserving American hero. Five heroes were chosen as finalists and adult fans visited the Crown Royal Facebook page to cast their votes for the person they felt was most deserving of the honor. In an effort to bring a little piece of the famed track (more commonly known as The Brickyard) to Troy, AL, Crown Royal orchestrated an exclusive ceremony with BigMachineRecords.com to lay a replica “Yard of Bricks” in Troy’s downtown area. Shaver personally laid the final engraved brick bearing the race logo to culminate the ceremony.
“I’m a huge NASCAR fan, so having my name as a race title is absolutely unbelievable” said Shaver. “I’m honored that I was nominated for this incredible contest and humbled that so many people voted for my story. I’m looking forward to representing emergency personnel everywhere who risk their lives for others on a daily basis.”
Nearly 200 Troy residents, including Mayor Jimmy C. Lunsford and Shaver’s friends, family and fellow firefighters attended the bricklaying ceremony, honoring their local hero. In addition, representatives from Crown Royal, Big Machine Label Group and IMS spoke during the ceremony. Moore performed his current single “Til My Last Day,” which is currently rising up the Country charts and his very first No.1 hit “Small Town USA.”
“It was an honor to come to Alabama on this special day to pay homage to Curtiss. He truly embodies the all-American hero and I am glad I got to be a part of this historical celebration. We will have a great time in Indy for the Curtiss Shaver 400,” said Moore.
As part of the grand-prize package, Shaver will ride in the pre-race pace car, deliver the trophy bearing his name to the race winner in Victory Lane, and kiss the bricks following the race. Through a partnership with IMS, country music artists from Big Machine Label Group including The Band Perry, The Mavericks, Justin Moore, Sunny Sweeney and Greg Bates will play special concerts at the track to honor Shaver throughout the race weekend. Throughout the celebrations, Crown Royal would like to remind everyone to please drink responsibly.
