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Race Car Driver Honors Fallen Wilmington Firefighters

Friday marked a sad day for Wilmington as the Delaware city laid two well-known firefighters to rest.

Christopher Leach and Jerry Fickes were killed in an intentionally set fire after being trapped in the basement.

But as funeral services went on in Wilmington, just 50 minutes south, there was a cause for celebration.

Kyle Benjamin prepared for the Monster Mile, a car race in which he would drive No. 40 Chevrolet, proudly displaying the Wilmington Fire Department crest on the hood.

Wilmington Fire Race Car HoodPhoto Doug Poore
Doug Poore
The Wilmington Fire Department crest and a black band donned the hood of Chevy No. 40 at the Dover International Speedway in memorial of two fallen firefighters.

“I felt like it brought us a little luck today, having it on the hood,” Benjamin said in a release after securing his first career win at Dover International Speedway.

A spokesperson for the track says dozens swarmed the car after it crossed the finish line, celebrating Benjamin’s win, but also remembering the fallen firefighters the car was represented.

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