The Brickyard 400 will be named after U.S. Marine Jeff Kyle. (Getty)
Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race will be named after Jeff Kyle, a former U.S. Marine and brother of Chris Kyle, the inspiration for the film “American Sniper.”
The Crown Royal presents The Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard gets underway from Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
Jeff was selected from a group of nominees from around the country. Last month he was informed and honored in a ceremony at a Texas Rangers baseball game.
Here’s what you need to know about Jeff Kyle:
1. Kyle Is a Retired U.S. Marine & Served Multiple Tours
(Getty)
Jeff is a retired U.S. Marine, serving from 2000-08. He served with the 3rd and 4th Marine Divisions.
Earlier in his military career, Jeff was a pistol instructor. He trained fellow Marines and foreign military members from Tanzania, Uganda, Japan, Korean and Australia.
Jeff was deployed multiple times to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
2. He Is the Younger Brother of Chris Kyle, the Inspiration For ‘American Sniper’
Jeff’s brother was Chris Kyle, a Navy SEALS marksman. Chris served 4 tours in Iraq as a sniper.
Chris chronicled his time in the military with the autobiography “American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History.” He claims to have killed more than 160 people.
Kyle was killed on February 2, 2013, when he and a colleague, Chad Littlefield, were shot at a gun range in Texas, by Eddie Ray Routh, an ex-Marine who had a history of mental illness.
Chris’ book was turned into the Oscar-nominated movie “American Sniper.”
3. Jeff Is Heavily Involved In Helping Veterans
Since leaving active military, Jeff now works with helping veterans.
He is on the Board of Directors of the Guardian For Heroes Foundation.
According to their website, the Guardian For Heroes Foundation:
Guardian for Heroes Foundation provides free, in home fitness equipment, facilitation of donated health club memberships, individualized programs, personal training, and life coaching to in-need Veterans with disabilities, Gold Star families, and those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) from combat deployment. We use physical and mental fitness to spark conversation and create a source of support for Combat Veterans struggling with and working to overcome PTS.
Jeff also works at the Texas Elite Tactical Academy as an instructor.
4. He Blasted Director Michael Moore For Calling Snipers ‘Cowards’
Back in January 2015, film director Michael Moore caused a bit of controversy when he called snipers “cowards.”
See the tweet below:
My uncle killed by sniper in WW2. We were taught snipers were cowards. Will shoot u in the back. Snipers aren’t heroes. And invaders r worse
That didn’t sit too well with Jeff Kyle, who went on FOX to say as much.
Just because somebody was killed by a sniper, it doesn’t make snipers cowards. Snipers are – they’re saviors.
He then added:
For them to say that they’re cowards, that would be like PETA calling Michael Moore a murderer for all the cheeseburgers he’s eaten.
But if you’re on the roof of your home defending it from invaders who’ve come 7K miles, you are not a sniper, u are brave, u are a neighbor.
5. Jeff Is 37 & From Texas
Jeff, 37, is a native of Lorena, Texas, and is married to wife Amy.
His parents are Wayne and Deby Kyle.
Sunday’s race at the Brickyard will be Jeff’s first time at at NASCAR event.
