Some of NASCAR’s best drivers are heading to the Bluegrass state Friday.
Kentucky Speedway is the host site for the 2019 Alsco 300 as part of the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
For the third time in the past four years of this race, a man from Bowling Green will have a big part to play in it, too.
Jerry Humble, a former football player at Western Kentucky University, will serve as grand marshal and get to say the four most famous words in all of auto racing: “Drivers, start your engines!”
“I couldn’t say no because I’m representing Kentucky,” Humble said. “I’m representing the military, and I’m representing Bowling Green. So I couldn’t say no.”
After graduating from Western Kentucky University in November 1969, Humble became a commissioned officer of the U.S. Marine Corps and first served as a platoon and company commander in Vietnam. After 34 years of service and a career that would span the globe, he retired as a two-star general.
While active duty with the Marines, Maj. Gen. Humble helped develop the Arctic Warfare Training Program, Expeditionary Special Operations Capable Training Program, Rapid Response Raid Planning Program, Maneuver Warfare Training Program, Recruit Training Program (“The Crucible”) and the Jungle Warfare Training Center. In addition to his numerous campaigns and expeditionary and foreign medals, Humble has been decorated with over 30 combat and peacetime awards and decorations from the United States and its allies.
After his retirement, Humble served as director of Tennessee’s Office of Homeland Security. He consults and serves on several boards, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, New York City Police Department and New Jersey State Police. He is also a special deputy with the Daviess County Kentucky Sheriff’s Department, where he supports leadership training, counterterrorism and also serves on the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.
— WNKY —