CONCORD — NASCAR racer Landon Cassill and his team will honor a fallen soldier from Chocowinity in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. A day before Memorial Day, Cassill’s a decal across the top windshield of Cassill’s car will read the name of Army Pfc. Michael Murdock.

Murdock, a 2004 graduate of Washington High School, was killed on Sept. 11, 2008 while serving the United States in Afghanistan. At the age of 22, Murdock was on his first deployment when his base was attacked by enemy fire.

“We are proud to have Pvt. Murock’s name on our car for memorial Day weekend,” Cassill said in a news release. “We recognize, not just on this holiday, but every day, that there are men and women who have given their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have. It will be our honor to welcome his mother at the race on Sunday and to race 600 miles in the name of this American hero.”

Cassill and the NASCAR organization this weekend will accommodate Murdock’s mother, Jennifer McDermott Tripp. She was informed of Cassill honoring her son in April.

“Excited would be an understatement,” she said. “Happy for my son. Grateful (that) after nine years that he will still be remembered. No better feeling.”

Tripp said that she will be hosted for a dinner at the Speedway Club. She will meet at the track and watch the race on Sunday, then meet Cassill and his crew afterwards.

Memorial Day has understandably been a tough holiday for Tripp and her family since Murdock’s passing. Having an action-packed weekend where she gets to see her son remembered almost nine years later is nice.

“It is awesome,” she said. “Feeling really blessed. His last time home was around Memorial Day week and weekend. Fun, happy memories of him during that time. (It is) fitting that he will be honored during Memorial Day weekend. Remembering him, his life, brings me joy. Helps me to get through such a tragedy. He was and is my world.”

Cassill’s CSF Ford will feature a special red, white and blue paint scheme for the 600-mile race this weekend. While it is Murdock’s name featured on the car’s windshield, Cassill’s intention is to honor all those that have lost their lives serving their country.

The race is scheduled to begin Sunday at 6 p.m. Cassill’s car is No. 34.