Piedmont fallen Vet to be honored as part of NASCAR race

During Memorial Day weekend, millions of NASCAR fans watching the Coca-Cola 600 on FOX will notice something a little different about the race cars. In tribute to U.S. Armed Forces members who have fallen in service to their country, all 40 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers will have their names replaced on car windshields with those of fallen service members.

As part of NASCAR’s 600 Miles of Remembrance, SSG Terry D. Wagoner of Piedmont, will be featured on the No. 14 car driven by Clint Bowyer. Wagoner died Sept. 14, 2007 in Baghdad, serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom; assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th US Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood Texas. SSgt. He was in his second Iraq tour when he was killed by an IED while on patrol.
This will be the third consecutive year that NASCAR has honored the fallen with 600 Miles of Remembrance, part of the sport’s annual military appreciation platform, NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola. This year’s Coca-Cola 600 will be broadcast live from Charlotte Motor Speedway on FOX beginning at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 28.

Army Staff Sgt. Terry D. Wagoner, 28, of Piedmont, S.C.

SSgt. Wagoner was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Sept. 14, 2007 in Baghdad, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations. Also killed were Spc. Todd A. Motley, Spc. Jonathan Rivadeneira and Pvt. Christopher M. McCloud.

The Greenville News — U.S. Staff Sgt. Terry Daniel Wagoner of Pelzer was in his second Iraq tour when he was killed on Friday by an IED while on patrol, his father, Scott, said.

Wagoner, 28, had served seven years in the Army, his father said on Saturday.

His dad referred to him as “Daniel,” the middle child with a sister on each side.

“All my hopes and dreams I had were in my son,” said Wagoner, a minister. ” I was looking forward to that.”

Wagoner’s specialty while attending Woodmont High was running track, his dad said. He ran the 440 and 880 and was ranked statewide.

The Department of Defense has not given the family a full explanation of how he was killed nor when his remains will be returned, the elder Wagoner said.

The younger Wagoner had become a leader in the Army, his dad said. “The main thing about Daniel is that he needed a bit of discipline in his teens,” Wagoner said. “He was a follower, and he needed to be a leader.”

He said his son follows a tradition of five uncles who also served in the military.

Another relative, Barry Wagoner of North Carolina, also suffered injuries while serving in Iraq, Wagoner said. He said his nephew wasn’t severely injured and is recovering. Daniel “called him the other day,” Wagoner said. “He said he gave Barry a pep talk.”

Wagoner said his son was last home this spring to visit his wife, Kate, and 3-year-old daughter in Fort Hood, Texas.

He is also survived by his mother; two sisters, Angie Epps, and Tiffany Wagoner, his dad said.

He had been due to return stateside in October, but his tour was extended until February, Wagoner said.

“Daniel knew what he was doing,” the elder Wagoner said. “He was doing the right thing.”