SONOMA, CA – JUNE 23: Jesse Iwuji, driver of the #40 Perfect Hydration Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Carneros 200 at Sonoma Raceway on June 23, 2018 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775180571 ORIG FILE ID: 982097126

Last week, NBC had their first NASCAR race weekend of the 2019 season. Taking over the second half of the season, NBC will be broadcasting the final 20 races of the Cup season on either NBC or NBCSN.

For Independence Day weekend, NBC is doing something special for their Daytona broadcast weekend. The network has brought on Lieutenant Commander and NASCAR driver Jesse Iwuji for this weekend’s race.

Iwuji revealed the news on Instagram and will be out and about in the studio as well as pit road throughout the race weekend.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

This is such a huge blessing🙏🏾! NBC Sports broke the news to me that I’ll be a guest analyst reporter for NBC Sports’ coverage from Daytona International Speedway throughout the 4th of July weekend for the race. You’ll see me in studio and out on pit road reporting with some great people like @rutledgewood so make sure you tune in July 4-6 on all NASCAR coverage on NBCSN! This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I’m looking to make the most of it! Huge thank you to NBC Sports for giving me this opportunity, big thanks to @sportsagentmatt from @thesportsagency on putting together all the chips to make this happen, and always big thanks to God for always being there for me keep awesome opportunities coming into my life! #NBCSN #NASCAR

A post shared by Jesse Iwuji (@jesse_iwuji) on

Iwuji’s has one of the most incredible stories in the NASCAR garage. Going to college at the Naval Academy, Iwuji played free safety for the Midshipmen. While he was in college, Iwuji got a taste of NASCAR racing and has been chasing a dream of being a race car driver.

After graduating, Iwuji served in the Navy for seven years, working as a surface warfare officer and being stationed on the USS Comstock. Iwuji has since joined the Naval Reserve and was just recently promoted to Lieutenant Commander.

As he’s serving his country, Iwuji has tried to carry on a racing career. Taking on whatever opportunity that has come his way, Iwuji has primarily raced in ARCA and the K&N regional racing series, trying to gain experience. Iwuji has raced part time in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, finishing a career best 17th at Texas in March.

Iwuji has started his career later than most other drivers and he hasn’t been able to get as much track time as his competitors but Iwuji is learning the ropes whenever he can. By being on NBC’s broadcast, Iwuji is going to get a different perspective of the NASCAR experience, provide his own perspective of somebody who is serving in the military as well as driving a race car, and get an opportunity to share his story to a prime time audience. Who knows, maybe being on NBC’s broadcast will make a sponsor aware of Jesse Iwuji’s story and want to support him in his NASCAR career.

[Photo: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images]

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @phillipbupp