Crown Royal Presents The Heath Calhoun 400

A native of Clarksville, Tenn., Heath Calhoun became a NASCAR fan when he was young, watching the races and his favorite driver, Darryl Waltrip, with his grandfather.

He never could have imagined back then that he would end up having a NASCAR race named in his honor.

But this Saturday, he will.

The race Saturday night in Richmond, Va., will be named after Calhoun, the U.S. flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games. Calhoun will serve as Grand Marshal, ride in pace-car laps, watch the race from the No. 17 pit box (the team with driver Matt Kenseth), and then deliver the trophy at the Crown Royal Presents The Heath Calhoun 400. His name will also be featured on the race tickets, merchandise and the trophy.

Family, friends, and fellow soldiers nominated military members and veterans to have the race named after them. Calhoun, who lost both legs in an explosion while serving for the U.S. Army in Iraq seven years ago, was one of four finalists. The skier, 30, found out he won the contest earlier this year at the Daytona International Speedway.

Along with having a prominent NASCAR race named after him, Calhoun has competed in the Paralympic Winter Games and met President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama this year. Calhoun placed eighth in the super-G and 10th at the Super Combined alpine skiing events at Paralympic Winter Games.

Calhoun took a pit stop to answer some questions about the race and what this year has been like for him so far.

TeamUSA.org - How does it feel to have a race named after you?

Heath Calhoun - It's an awesome feeling. I'm really honored. That I was actually selected to get to do it ... it's so cool.

TeamUSA.org - How did you find out?

Heath Calhoun - My wife found out about the contest. When I was selected as one of the finalists, we were all just kind of shocked. I've never won a contest in my life, and I'm pretty sure I never will again.

TeamUSA.org - Who is your favorite NASCAR driver?

Heath Calhoun - I'm a big Tony Stewart fan. Since I get to meet some of the drivers, I'm realizing they're a bunch of cool guys. It makes it tough to start pulling for someone when you meet everybody.

TeamUSA.org - The past few months have pretty unbelievable. You were the flag bearer at the Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, you met the president and first lady and now you have a NASCAR race named after you. What has that been like?

Heath Calhoun - It's been a great year. It'd been a lot better if I brought a gold medal home, but it's been a great year. It's going to be hard to top this next year.

TeamUSA.org - What has been your favorite moment throughout all of this?

Heath Calhoun - Walking out in front of 30,000 to 40,000 people with the flag (at the Opening Ceremony). It was quite an emotional moment. I was doing my best to think of it as a responsibility and job, so the emotion didn't get to me.

TeamUSA.org - Did you have enough time to take it in?

Heath Calhoun - It really has been a whirlwind getting in and moving on from the next thing to the next thing. It's been tough to honestly slow down and think of everything.

TeamUSA.org - What are you going to do once all this dies down?

Heath Calhoun - I don't really know what I'm going to get into next. It hasn't been determined if I'm going to go to Sochi or not (to compete in the Paralympic Winter Games in 2014). I'm really trying to focus right now on being a father and husband.

TeamUSA.org - What's the best thing that can happen through all of this?

Heath Calhoun - I hope it brings light to other wounded veterans. They're still coming back everyday from Iraq and Afghanistan, and they need more support now than ever. I was just up at Walter Reed (Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.) last week and I still keep in contact with some of the guys and talk to a lot of those guys about walking.

TeamUSA.org - A lot of people have taken the time to honor you and publicly speak about you as a role model and hero. What does that mean to you?

Heath Calhoun - It's kind of a tough responsibility. I don't look at myself as a hero, but if somebody wants to call me that, it's big shoes to fill and it's a lot of responsibility to live up to. My personal philosophy is to enjoy life and live it so that I can live up to my own expectations. Hopefully, my expectations are enough.

TeamUSA.org - Anything else to add about this weekend's race?

Heath Calhoun - I'm thrilled and honored. It's cool to be associated with it and NASCAR is a great sport. I hope some of the guys from Team USA can get on TV and watch it.