By Andy DeLay, Staff Writer
HAYMARKET, VA — For years, the rumble of road racing has been the heartbeat of Warriors2Racers. In 2026, that heartbeat is syncing up with the high-banked thunder of oval dirt track racing!
In a move that bridges the gap between veteran rehabilitation and top-tier competitive motorsport, Warriors2Racers (operating under the Resilience Racing Foundation) has officially announced a strategic partnership with Josh White Racing (JWR). This isn’t just a logo on a quarter panel; it’s a dedicated pipeline designed to put veterans in the driver’s seat… and over the wall… in the world of oval dirt track racing.
A New Mission on the Oval
Since its inception, Warriors2Racers has used the high-pressure environment of the track to help veterans rediscover the camaraderie and discipline they left behind in uniform. By partnering with Josh White, a veteran of the ARCA Menards and NASCAR Truck Series, the program is expanding its horizons.
Under this new agreement, Warriors2Racers will act as a primary feeder program for JWR. Veterans who grind through the rigorous training… covering everything from race craft to the technical wizardry of crew operations… now have a direct path to evaluated opportunities within JWR’s competitive stable, which now includes West Virginia dirt track legend, Buddy Brogan.
“Racing mirrors the values our veterans already carry: discipline, precision, and trust,” said Ed McLean, Director of Warriors2Racers. “Oval track racing demands a different mindset—one our veterans are built for.”
More Than a Race: The “Laps of Honor”
While the competition on the track will be fierce, the heart of this partnership lies in the “Laps of Honor” program. Originally a JWR staple, Warriors2Racers is now officially adopting the initiative to ensure its reach expands nationwide.
The concept is simple but profoundly moving: race laps are dedicated to fallen service members. For Gold Star families, it’s an invitation into the inner sanctum of the sport—the pits—where they can see their loved one’s name riding high on a race car at full song.
“When a Gold Star family sees their loved one’s name on that car, it tells them that sacrifice is not forgotten,” said Josh White. “Warriors2Racers adopting Laps of Honor means that tribute will reach more families than ever before.”
The 2026 Lineup: Growth and Mentorship
The 2026 season also sees JWR expanding its footprint on the track by adding Buddy Brogan to the roster. Brogan won’t just be wheeling the No. 5B; he’ll be a boots-on-the-ground mentor for the veterans coming through the pipeline.
The 2026 JWR Outlook:
- Primary Drivers: Josh White & Buddy Brogan
- Focus: Bridging the gap between road racing skills and oval track mechanics.
- Veteran Integration: Direct mentorship in the garage and on the pit box.
“I’ll be working side by side with veterans, teaching them the mechanical side of the sport,” Brogan noted. “The most important thing we do is Laps of Honor. Every tribute is a reminder of why we race.”
For the racing purist who remembers when the sport was about more than just corporate stickers and daddy’s money, this partnership feels like a return to form. It’s about grit, respect, and a community that looks after its own.
Image via Josh White