Car paying tribute to Navy SEAL Carter finishes 12th of 40

The No. 3 Cheerios Chevrolet, the car that featured the name of 1998 Fallbrook High School graduate and fallen Navy SEAL Mark T. Carter on its windshield, finished 12th of 40 in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29 in Concord, N.C.

Driven by Austin Dillon in NASCAR's longest race, the Cheerios Chevrolet started from the 28th position in the 600-mile event. The No. 78 Furniture Row Toyota, which started from the pole position, captured the Coca-Cola 600 in dominating fashion for driver Martin Truex Jr.

Each of the cars in the Coca-Cola 600 carried the name of a military member who died while serving their country, a tribute that NASCAR titled "600 Miles of Remembrance." Cars normally have their driver's name on the windshield.

Dillon chose to have Carter's name on his windshield because he has friends that are Navy SEALS and they unanimously agreed that the short but tenacious man nicknamed "Badger" deserved the honor.

Truex, who led a Sprint Cup-record 588 of 600 miles in claiming the victory, had the name of fallen hero Gunnery Sergeant Jeffrey E. Bohr Jr. on his windshield.

"This is a big day," said Truex following his win. "Got the troops on the cars (for Memorial Day recognition). It's really neat to bring that name home to Victory Lane. Just a lot of emotion right now. Just an amazing day."