( CNN ) -- Brad Keselowski is once again a contender in this year 's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series , but off the track he is championing a cause dear to his heart . Keselowski , known for hanging an American flag out his window whenever a victory lap is warranted , started the Checkered Flag Foundation to support anyone who has `` sacrificed greatly for America . '' The foundation centers around the Race 2 Recovery program , which serves wounded veterans . Several race weekends a year Keselowski and his foundation , run by former Navy Lt. Andrea Ross , work with local Veterans Affairs hospitals to bring vets and their families to the track for a VIP experience . Hospital staff recommends the honorees -- many amputees or in wheelchairs -- as either deserving of special praise or being in need of a morale boost . `` A lot of our honorees have n't been out of the house in quite some time . So it 's a great way to get them out and get them on their feet , '' Keselowski says . The highlight of the program happens after the race 's final lap . When the grandstands empty out and race crews have headed home , Keselowski gets back behind the wheel for an extra day to give his honorees a once-in-a-lifetime experience -- a high-speed joy ride around the track . `` I believe in charity in action . I think it 's very tempting for some people to maybe write a check and walk away feeling like they 've done their good deed , but at some point somebody actually has to do the good deed , '' Keselowski says . He gets help from his Penske Racing teammate Parker Kligerman . Kligerman drives a second car for honorees ' family members who also might feel the need for speed . `` I hope they take a glimpse of what we do but almost at the same time a glimpse of getting away from some tumultuous experience they 've had as a veteran of war , '' Kligerman says . `` And hopefully racing is something that they can become a fan of through this experience and have something to look forward to week in and week out . '' Iraq war veteran Noah Galloway , who was n't a NASCAR fan before the Birmingham VA connected him to the Checkered Flag Foundation , says Keselowski 's program means a lot to him . `` I think what the Checkered Flag Foundation is doing is incredible -- Brad having this organization , inviting veterans out to experience NASCAR events , but not only that . Here it is , Monday . He won yesterday 's race . He was here this morning with us and driving us around the track , '' Galloway says . `` He could want to just as easily either still be partying or be back on the road . But he 's here with us , and I think that is incredible for all of us veterans to have someone show that much appreciation . '' One of the foundation 's original honorees , Dustin Humphreys , says what Keselowski and his team did for him was so inspiring that he now gives back as a volunteer . `` It 's changed my whole outlook on everything now . It 's so easy to get depressed when you come back and you ca n't do the stuff you used to , '' Humphreys says . Like many of the men and women the foundation serves , Humphreys and Galloway are around the same age as Keselowski , a fact not lost on the 28-year-old racer . Keselowski says he realizes he could have just as easily been in their place . The cause became even more personal when he saw an old friend at Walter Reed Army Medical Center during NASCAR 's tour to support the troops . His friend had been injured , and several soldiers in his unit had died in Iraq . `` He just completely lacked any motivation to live , '' Keselowski says of his friend with whom he 'd lost touch . `` That was probably one of the key moments that made me feel like ... this was a cause that was worth something , to help guys like him get back going . '' Keselowski adds , `` If we can be the difference in one person 's life and prevent them from going through the trials and tribulations that a lot of our veterans have , whether it 's becoming a recluse or worst case , suicide , if we can prevent one of those things from happening , I feel like we 've been a success , and it 's worth the effort . ''
NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski 's foundation helps those who have served the U.S. Checkered Flag Foundation 's Race 2 Recovery program honors wounded veterans . Honorees spend race weekend as racer 's guest , and he drives around the track at full speed . Comment: