NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth visits Travis

  • Published
  • By Tyler Grimes
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The commissary here at Travis held a "Green Machine" race Monday officiated by NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth. The race consisted of two-person teams from four different squadrons. These teams competed in a 16 squadron event in November to be the final teams in Monday's event.

Along with bragging rights for their squadron, the top three teams received commissary gift certificates and Matt Kenseth gear, said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Brand, 60th Air Mobility Wing safety office. In addition to assisting with the set up of the event, Brand expressed his excitement about the Kenseth appearance. "He's been my favorite driver for probably ten years now, so it's pretty cool that I get to meet him," Brand said.

In addition to the Kenseth appearance, the drivers of the "Green Machines" were very enthusiastic about the race as well. Second Lieutenant Christopher Piha and Master Sgt. Reny Nunag, 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron were confident they would win the race. "There's only one place we're going to take, if you aren't first your last," Piha said.

The team from the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron relied on strategy that brought them victory in November to prepare for the race. "Don't spin out, he shakes them and I bake them," said Airman 1st Class Casey Epps, 60th CES, regarding himself and teammate Airman 1st Class Scott Darowski.

While some teams depended on experience, Staff Sgt. Carlos Juarez, 60th Maintenance Operations Squadron counted on beginner's luck to win the race. "This is my first time actually racing; I was called in for a sub because one of our other guys had to do a PT test."

Even without any "Green Machine" experience, Juarez said he and his teammate Senior Master Sgt. John Donaway would finish in the top three. Juarez and Donaway finished in first place with the 60th CES team coming in a close second.

Once the race was completed, Kenseth took a ride around the track in a "Green Machine."Afterward, he signed some autographs for fans at the commissary and discussed the day's event. The race was pretty exciting Kenseth said. He also commented on his "Green Machine" experience.

"It was fun, I've never drove a green machine so it was exciting to get on one."
With all of Kenseth's experience, he said driving the "Green Machine" was still a challenge. "It's harder than it looks."