Retired veteran surprised with special edition No. 43 car, groceries
A family coming to the Indianapolis 500 is leaving with a Petty blue Ford Fusion and a year's worth of groceries.
Aric Almirola and Eckrich, his sponsor for Sunday's Brickyard 400, gave Luther and Stephani Martin a special edition 2016 Fusion painted to look like Almirola's car he'll drive on Sunday. And there was also a gift card for the groceries in the back seat.
Luther Martin is a retired staff sargeant and spent 17 years in the military before he medically retired with multiple injuries. Stephani Martin is his full-time caregiver and is part of the Operation Homefront Hearts of Valor program.
"I'm a little lost for words," Luther Martin said. "I was just told that we were coming to the race track today, but we had no idea that we were going to get a new car and free groceries. I'm really thankful and humbled. I can't thank Eckrich, Aric Almirola and Kroger enough for making this a great day."
Almirola, who is 15th in the points standings, starts 22nd in Sunday's race.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
