California Legionnaire serves as honorary starter during INDYCAR season finale

When Past America Legion Department of California Commander Autrey James arrived at WeatherTech Raceway at Laguna Seca last weekend, he was ready to represent The American Legion at the final race of the INDYCAR SERIES season.

That meant shaking hands, meeting with current and potential members and talking to members of Chip Ganassi Racing.

But he received a major surprise from Firestone, the sponsor of the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey, when he arrived at the track on Sunday morning.

For a race held on the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attack on the United States, Firestone asked James to be the honorary starter of the race. It was a complete shock and an honor to the member of Post 161 of Antioch, Calif.

“You’re right about that,” James said. “It is a very important day for Americans. The fact Firestone is picking a veteran to be the honorary starter is very cool. I’m pretty proud of the fact I was selected for it.

For the second year in a row, Department of California Adjutant Barbara Lombrano helped activate the Legion’s message at the track. She has worked closely with James and said it was absolutely the right thing to do to have him as the honorary starter.

“We’re very humbled and very gracious that the National Headquarters of The American Legion and INDYCAR allows our departments and legionnaires to be able to participate in things like this,” Lombrano said. “It’s a great motivation for people to renew our membership and get membership numbers up.

“I think the exposure and being able to do all of these things with INDYCAR and The American Legion’s National Headquarters really does help.”

James stressed the importance of pushing the “Be The One” initiative to help prevent veteran suicide. That message has been stressed all season, including a new activation unit that the Legion unveiled at Texas Motor Speedway on March 19 and has traveled to nearly every INDYCAR race on the schedule.

In his role as honorary starter, James climbed to the starters position on the flag stand, where he was flanked by INDYCAR flagmen Bryan Howard and Aaron Likens.

After the command was given to start engines, followed by two parade laps and a pace lap, pole-winner Will Power of Team Penske led the field out of the final turn and toward the finish line.

Further back in the pack was Jimmie Johnson in the No. 48 Carvana/American Legion Honda as he was prepared to close out his first full-time season in INDYCAR.

James waved the green flag like he was a real pro.

“It was quite a thrill and a tremendous honor,” he said.