This Army veteran and NASCAR fan got the surprise of a lifetime

When Army cavalry veteran Rick Groesbeck was invited to the Hendrick Motorsports race shop, he probably suspected he would get a bit of a thrill. He couldn't have expected everything that was about to happen.

From USA Today:

Groesbeck, 46, had shown up to the Hendrick shop at the request of Charlotte Bridge Home, which helps area veterans transition back to civilian life after their military service has concluded. Groesbeck was told a camera crew wanted to talk to a veteran who was also a NASCAR fan, but he had no clue what was about to happen.

First, the 11-year Army veteran and his six-year-old son were given a personal tour of the shop and Rick Hendrick's car collection by Rick Hendrick himself.. Then, he met Xfinity Series Champion Chase Elliott and was able to ride with Elliott in a race car on Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Finally, he learned he would be waving the green flag to start Saturday's Bank of America 500.

"What they did that day and what I get to do this weekend, you see that happening to other people," Groesbeck told USA Today. "You never think what I did was anything compared to what other people did, and you think there's other people out there who deserve it more than you. So to have all that happen, I'm truly humbled by that appreciation and gratitude."

To learn more, check out the original article at USA Today or watch the video below: