A Memorial Day Tribute Honoring SGT Reuben Marcus Fernandez III
West Texas Born. Texan to His Roots. Never Forgotten.
The Honor: His Name Is on the Windshield.
Sergeant Reuben Marcus Fernandez III — U.S. Army, born November 6, 1985 in Abilene, Texas, killed in action on October 11, 2008 during Operation Iraqi Freedom — has been selected by Ally Racing to be honored in the 600 Miles of Remembrance at the Coca-Cola 600™ at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Memorial Day weekend, Sunday, May 24, 2026. His name — “SGT FERNANDEZ III” — will be etched on the windshield of Car #48, driven by Alex Bowman of Hendrick Motorsports, for every one of the six hundred miles of NASCAR®’s crown jewel race. Six hundred miles. Every lap in his name. This honor was made possible by Swain Hall, a friend of Marcus’s and an Ally Financial employee, who carried his memory for nearly eighteen years before submitting his story for this tribute. Because of the man and friend he was -the world will see his name on that car on Memorial Day Weekend 2026.
Photos Credit: Hendrick Motorsports
Marc’s Story: A Texas Family. A Soldier’s Legacy. A State’s Pride.
Marcus didn’t just serve his country. He represented Texas — the way West Texas men have always represented it: completely, without asking for anything in return. West Texas born, Texan to his roots. His grandfather Miguel Gallegos Flores, Sr. was born in Redford, Texas in 1915. His uncles Albert L. Flores and Jose Jesus Flores served in the United States Navy and Army respectively. His paternal grandfather, Reuben Fernandez, Sr., served in and retired from the United States Air Force. The Navy. The Army. The Air Force. Three branches, two family lines. Marcus carried all of it when he raised his right hand and took his oath. On May 24, 2026, he represents Texas again — before a national audience, on the biggest stage in American motorsport, on the most solemn day on the American calendar.
Honor. Remembrance. Patriotism.
With the Coca-Cola 600™ taking place this Memorial Day weekend, Charlotte Motor Speedway is transformed into a heartfelt tribute honoring and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It serves as a powerful reminder of the true meaning of this weekend.
From 600 miles of full-throttle racing and an electrifying performance by Brad Paisley to unforgettable military tributes, the Coca-Cola 600™ delivers something special to honor and remember the fallen.
NASCAR® Salutes
The 2026 NASCAR® Salutes “600 Miles of Remembrance” adds to the significance set against the 250th anniversary of America, with every NASCAR® Cup Series driver carrying the name of a fallen service member on their car — a reminder of the sacrifices made by our nation’s heroes.
Sign The Declaration of Remembrance.
NASCAR® is also partnering with Honor and Remember to collect 1.4 million signatures—representing every service member who has fallen in U.S. history—which fans can sign leading up to the race.
600 Miles For Marcus
As Marc’s family, friends, and fellow Gold Star families who share in this sacrifice, we continue to honor and remember Marcus by sharing his story. This year, with the support of a dear friend of Marc’s and our family, Swain – we reaffirm why we will always honor and speak Marc’s name. He was truly special and forever imprinted on our hearts. He touched everyone who knew him.
We are honored that Alex Bowman will carry Marc’s name and memory at Charlotte Motor Speedway this Memorial Day Weekend. Marc’s spirit will be with him for every lap. We will be cheering him on and honoring Marcus as we do every year on Memorial Day. Only this year, our Hero will be honored and remembered for 600 miles at the Coca-Cola 600™
Three Generations Watching In Charlotte
At Charlotte Motor Speedway, three generations of Marcus’s family will be watching from a private box. Aurora Jumper — Marcus’s mother. Stephanie Mirelez — his sister. And Thalia Mirelez — his niece, who never had the privilege to meet her uncle, but will feel six hundred laps of his name and legacy on May 24th. Every lap is his. Every lap is theirs.
Honor & Remembrance: Join Us. Watch Every Lap.
May 24, 2026
Fort Worth, Texas
600 Miles for Marcus is a community watch event gathering family, friends, veterans, and the people of Texas in Abilene, Fort Worth, and all over the country on race day — Sunday, May 24, 2026. We begin at 3:30 PM CT as the pre-race program opens with military ceremonies honoring all six branches of the armed forces and a concert from Brad Paisley. The green flag drops at 6:00 PM CT. At the halfway point, the engines go quiet. The crowd at Charlotte Motor Speedway holds its breath for a moment of remembrance. We will hold ours too — watching together. Because Marcus honored his country. He honored his state. And on May 24, 2026, it is Texas’s turn to honor him.
Our Deepest Gratitude.
From the family and friends of SGT. Reuben Marcus Fernandez III, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to Ally Financial and Ally Racing for choosing Marcus for this honor — for seeing him, for saying his name, and for placing it on that windshield where the whole world can witness it. To Alex Bowman and the entire Hendrick Motorsports family: thank you for carrying him with you for six hundred miles on the most sacred weekend on the American calendar. And to NASCAR® and the 600 Miles of Remembrance program, which ensures that the men and women who gave everything are never reduced to a statistic — thank you for building a stage worthy of their sacrifice. Marcus honored his country with everything he had. You have honored him in kind.
— The Family of SGT. Reuben Marcus Fernandez III
Press & Media Inquiries
For press inquiries, interview requests, and media assets, contact PR@600milesformarcus.com