May 30, 2021 | By Lee Spencer

Brad Keselowski's Checkered Flag Foundation provides service dogs and hope for veterans

Winning last year’s Coca-Cola 600 meant the world to Brad Keselowski, not only because it’s NASCAR’s longest race but because of what it represents—saluting fallen troops throughout Memorial Day weekend. 

But Keselowski has never been one to wait until the holiday to honor America’s heroes. Through his Checkered Flag Foundation, both he and wife Paige continually give back to those who serve—active military, veterans, and first responders.

Since 2010, Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation has raised nearly $4 million to aid more than 250 individuals and organizations.  

“Checkered Flag Foundation is a 501c3 that’s really dedicated to serving and supporting our nation’s heroes—especially those who made great sacrifices for their country,” said Keselowski, who qualified 13th for Sunday’s race. “Whether it be active duty or retired service members or those who serve their communities in a number of ways—be it first responders and others."

One program particularly close to the Kesleowskis' hearts is the Checkered Flag Foundation’s Service Dog Fund, which subsidizes the full cost to prepare and train canines to help veterans cope with anxiety and PTSD.

“The impetus for the Hero’s Homecoming is the idea when heroes come home and return from the battlefield it’s a very difficult transition,” Keselowski said. “I want to try and make that as easy on them as possible. So Hero’s Homecoming is about, one, celebrating what they’ve done and then, two, helping them with the gift of a service dog when they return.”
This year’s recipient, Army Sgt. Scott Craig, was united with ‘Rage’—a four-year-old German Shepard—during the BKCFF Hero’s Homecoming ceremony on Tuesday night. Rage was trained by Ben Brockway at Black Paw Canine in Ohio.

“Thanks for helping Brad and Ben and helping veterans who need help when they come back,” Craig said upon receiving Rage.

Craig is the third veteran to receive a service dog from CFF.

“To see Scott and Rage together—this is where their lives take off,” Keselowski said. “Where the dog can service and take care of Scott and help him transition.”

Craig joined the Army in 2006. He trained at Fort Benning, Ga., first as an Indirect Fire Infantryman, then as a paratrooper. Craig went on to receive his Expert Infantryman Badge before being deployed with the 173rd Airborne Brigade to Afghanistan in 2007. Three months into a 15-month deployment at COP (Combat Outpost) Keating, Craig was wounded while supporting an overwatch element in Saret Koleh. The Purple Heart recipient became a liaison at Bagram Air Base before his return to Keating two months later. For the next year, Craig continued to fight in combat operations before returning to the U.S. 

Craig returned to Afghanistan’s Logar Province for a second tour in 2010—leaving his six-month-old daughter and pregnant wife—also an active-duty Army (SFC intel analyst, recently retired), behind. With a week remaining in Craig’s deployment, he destroyed his knee while saving a fellow soldier during a mortar attack. The untreated injury eventually led to Craig’s medical retirement.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity,” said Craig, who learned about the foundation while working as an advocate for student veterans at the University of South Carolina. “I didn’t think something like this was going to happen for me and my family. But we’re excited to have her (Rage) become part of our family. 

“I’m hoping she’ll become my rock. Sometimes I have issues in crowds and dealing with people and getting motivated to leave the house. Now, having someone who is responsible for me and that I’m responsible for, she’ll keep me active, get me out of the house and help me grow post-military.”

Craig continues to support fellow soldiers through a number of philanthropic organizations such as Friends of the 66th, Students Veterans Association, and Fisher House at the Dorn VA Hospital in Columbia, S.C.

“Scott is a very special person,” Keselowski said. “He’s a Purple Heart recipient. He literally took a bullet on the battlefield. It’s amazing that he was willing to serve our country after that happened and continued going. We want to honor him in so many different ways from his service to his life afterward so he’s never forgotten.

“Veterans are special to me because of what they stand for. They’re willing to go out there and risk their lives for us to be able to do the things we get to do here in the United States of America. The freedoms we get to enjoy, to do great things daily whether it’s enjoying time with our family—with peace and freedom—or to be able to enjoy sporting events, like racing events that I get to be a part of, all of those privileges come from the freedoms and the sacrifices from those that are willing to protect them.”