This Sunday's Coca Cola 600 will be extra-special for a local family.

Ron Kubik lived in Brielle and was a graduate of Manasquan High School in 2006, and went on to enlist in the Army. A friend and wrestling teammate, Ryan Flores, has gone on to be a member of the pit crew for NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney. When Blaney was looking for a soldier to honor with a display on his car for the Memorial Day Weekend race, Flores suggested his friend.

ryan blaney nascar
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Blaney's #12 car will feature a decal with the name "SGT. KUBIK" across the windshield (the Asbury Park Press has a photo).

Ron Kubik enlisted in the Army after high school. On April 23, 2010, the 21-year-old sergeant led a Ranger team that stormed the compound of a "high-value" Taliban agent. Kubik was the first soldier through the door, and took seven rounds from an AK-47. Kubik is credited with protecting 29 people, including 19 endangered Afghan women and children. He was posthumously awarded a Silver Star — the third-highest decoration in the armed forces.

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