K9s For Warriors, in partnership with RCA and Spire Motorsports, will bring its mission to the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway with K9s For Warriors featured on Michael McDowell’s No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 during the iconic Bass Pro Shops Night Race.
The partnership comes at a particularly meaningful time, with National Service Dog Day on September 20, shining a national spotlight on the life-changing impact Service Dogs have on the Veterans they serve. K9s For Warriors is the nation’s leading provider of Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD and other invisible wounds of war.
Through its program, K9s For Warriors rescues dogs and provides them with extensive training before pairing them at no cost with Veterans who can benefit from a Service Dog. Since 2011, the organization has transformed the lives of more than 1,350 Veterans and saved more than 2,500 dogs — fulfilling its mission of “saving lives at both ends of the leash.”
The partnership will extend beyond the track, with K9s For Warriors activating in the Earhart East Fan Midway at Bristol on Friday and Saturday of race weekend to connect with fans and share the life-changing impact Service Dogs can have on Veterans. The collaboration provides a powerful platform to honor the nation’s Veterans while highlighting the bond between those who served and the Service Dogs that help them reclaim their independence, confidence and freedom every day.
For McDowell, a longtime supporter of Veterans and the military community, the partnership represents an opportunity to bring greater awareness to the life-saving impact of Service Dogs.
“I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for the men and women who serve our country, and I believe the work K9s For Warriors is doing to support Veterans is incredible,” said McDowell. “Service Dogs can make such a meaningful difference in a Veteran’s life, and I’m proud to carry K9s For Warriors on our car at Bristol and help shine a light on their mission, especially around National Service Dog Day.”
“We’re incredibly proud to bring together RCA’s partnerships with K9s For Warriors and Spire Motorsports in such a meaningful way,” said Tony Bozzini, President of RCA. “RCA has long been honored to support K9s For Warriors and the extraordinary work they do for our nation’s Veterans. Together with Spire Motorsports, we have an incredible opportunity to bring that mission to NASCAR fans across the country and help shine a brighter light on an organization that is truly changing lives.”
“This partnership gives us an incredible opportunity to bring the mission of K9s For Warriors to millions of NASCAR fans while honoring the Veterans and Service Dogs at the heart of our work,” said Lindsay Grayson, Chief Revenue Officer of K9s For Warriors. “Seeing our mission represented on Michael McDowell’s car during the Bristol Night Race, so close to National Service Dog Day, is especially meaningful. We’re grateful to our long-time partner RCA, as well as Spire Motorsports and Michael for helping us shine a light on the life-saving impact of Service Dogs on Veterans.”
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race will provide an opportunity for K9s For Warriors, RCA and Spire Motorsports to connect with NASCAR’s passionate fan base while honoring the Veterans who have served the nation and the Service Dogs that help them live fuller, more independent lives.
Fans attending Bristol Motor Speedway can visit the K9s For Warriors booth in the Earhart East Fan Midway throughout race weekend to learn more about the organization and its mission to save lives at both ends of the leash.
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race from Bristol Motor Speedway will be televised live on USA Network, Saturday, Sept. 19 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 29th of 36 points-paying races on the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series calendar will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
— Spire Motorsports —