Gary Sinise to be grand marshal at Va. NASCAR race
Wednesday - 3/7/2012, 8:00am ET
Award-winning actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise was chosen as Grand Marshal. He and Marine Cpl. Josh Kerns will wave the green flag at the Martinsville, Va. race on April 1. The race will be Sinise's first time reciting the most famous works in racing - 'Gentlemen, Start Your Engines.' Kerns, a long-time fan of racing, will serve as the honorary starter. He was injured in Afghanistan in April 2011 when an IED exploded, costing him both legs and his right arm. (Photo Courtesy of Martinsville Speedway)
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) - Actor Gary Sinise will be the grand marshal at the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway on April 1.
The speedway also announced Tuesday that Patrick County Marine Cpl. Joshua Kerns will wave the green flag to start the Goody's Fast Relief 500. Kerns lost his right arm below the elbow and both his legs below the knees in an explosion in Afghanistan.
Sinise's foundation is helping build a specially equipped home for Kerns.
Sinise played Lt. Dan in the film "Forrest Gump" and stars in the television show "CSI: New York." Media outlets report his "Lieutenant Dan Band" will play a fundraiser for the home-building project on March 31 at Martinsville High School.
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