A Historic Weekend at Richmond
General Steve Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau, arrived in Richmond, Virginia, on August 15, 2026, to serve as the honorary pace car driver for the Cook Out 400, a NASCAR event held at Richmond International Raceway.
During the weekend, Nordhaus took part in a ceremony that saw him enlist and reenlist roughly 40 Virginia National Guard members, while also expressing gratitude to drivers, crew members and fans for their continued support of the Guard.
Community Connection
His presence underscored the National Guard’s commitment to community engagement, illustrating how the organization blends military readiness with civic partnership through appearances at major public events.
The ceremony not only celebrated the sport’s growing popularity but also reinforced the Guard’s role as a visible, supportive institution within the Commonwealth, fostering connections between service members and the public they protect.