Stan McCoy considers himself a patriot. He’s a man who loves and served his country in the Vietnam War. McCoy taught his sons Andy and Ryan of the values of waving their country’s flag and living by the principles he believes the country was founded on.

McCoy believes the United States is at a crossroad to the future and understands that he’s just one man trying to deliver the reminder.

On the grand stage of American Drag Racing League competition, McCoy wants the message to be heard loud and clear during the ADRL Summer Drags in Martin, Mich.

McCoy plans to use the Plymouth Duster driven by Pro Extreme point leader Jason Hamstra to remind race fans and his fellow racers that American was founded on the principle of “God Bless America”.

The McCoy and Hamstra families are partners on the car which has reached five consecutive finals dating back to 2010.

“I just feel like our nation is getting away from God,” said McCoy. “As a country, we are finding ways to take God out of our life. If you go back to World War II when we, as a country, we were patriotic. This country was founded on God. Everything our forefathers did in the Constitution and putting it together, they made sure that they put God first. I believe this is why this country has been so blessed.”

McCoy believes the time has come for this country to unite as one, just as the forefathers were inspired to do over 230 years ago. Sadly, he believes, the closest America has been to this unity occurred following a tragedy.

“If you look back to the days following 9/11, we all came together,” McCoy explained. “Something happened so tragic which made us all think about life. Even thieves took time off to reflect on the country. It impacted everyone alike. All of a sudden, the party lines which had divided our elected leaders became gray. We all realized, despite our differences, we are Americans.

“Now, we are trying to find more and more ways to take God out of our country. After all we went through and now to have protesters at funerals for our brave soldiers coming home. When these families are at their most vulnerable point, they have to be heckled by protesters? Where has our compassion gone? I believe the first part of fixing this country is putting God back into it. God bless America, because it’s a country I love.”

If anyone knows what it’s like to be heckled, McCoy does. As an Air Force mechanic stationed in Saigon during one of the toughest times of the Vietnam War, 1968 and 1969, McCoy’s job as a jet mechanic was to go into the jungles to retrieve as much technology off of downed fighters. This duty put McCoy in the line of fire many times.

“I can’t honestly say it was a war we should have been in because it was political,” said McCoy of the protests. “But, you did your part in serving the country to do what was asked of you. When you come home, there were those who spit on you.”

If McCoy has his druthers, this car will be a source of inspiration to those attending the drag races. A good measure of prayer and planning went into the design of the 3.5-second Mopar.

McCoy sat down with Andy, who is a chassis builder, and Ryan, an accomplished graphics and web designer, and presented his idea, days before the most recent ADRL event in Topeka, Kan. The end result was for more than a new paint scheme.

“We walked away from the meeting inspired,” said McCoy.

Andy McCoy Race Cars has been burning the midnight oil over the last three weeks, working on a newer and lighter Duster body which will be on the car this weekend. The new body is complete with new tubs, windows and is one of the new carbon fiber body designs from AMRC. McCoy estimates the new body is 45 pounds lighter than its predecessor.

The spiffy paint scheme is applied by the elder McCoy and enhanced by graphics designed and applied by Ryan’s 1320 Media Services.

“I’m just an old man who does his thing,” McCoy said with a smile. “No drawing, no planning … it’s just freehand out of my head.”

The team put the finishing touches on the car in the wee hours of the morning on Thursday before leaving for Martin, Mich.

McCoy can only smile when he sees the end product.

"I feel as if God has challenged me and I intend to respond,” McCoy said. “This is my response.”

The rest, he believes, is out of his hands.

Article written by Bobby Bennett of CompetitionPlus.com