Late Fort Bragg soldier to be honored at NASCAR event

Denny Hamlin's number 11 FedEx car has seen the winner's circle quite a bit.

But to Latoya Bell, Hamlin is already a winner at this weekend's Coca Cola 600 Miles of Remembrance race in Charlotte.

Her husband's name, first sergeant Russell Bell, will be front and center on Hamlin's windshield.

"He was a great soldier and leader to his soldiers," Latoya said.

His son Gage became emotional when shown the story WRAL News did about his father two years ago. That's when the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation awarded him a full college scholarship.

"I did not know that my dad's name was going to be on a race car," Gage said. "I think it's cool."

"We would all go to the race and have a good time," Latoya said. "We were excited that we were going to get to meet the driver and that they were going to let Gage into the car.

Sergeant Bell's Gold Star Mother Liz Bell traveled all the way from Texas to be a part of his remembrance.

"I cherish the things that I've been able to go and do and experience because of Russell's loss," she said. "But I would trade them all back in a heartbeat to have him here with us again."