While drivers and crews at Richmond International Raceway this weekend were primarily focused on winning, the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks was also on their minds.

For some crews, like that of Ryan Newman, remembrances of 9/11 were also on their cars.

Neman, driver of the U.S. Army-sponsored No. 39 Chevrolet, is one of nearly a dozen Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series drivers commemorating the anniversary of the attacks on the Twin Towers and Pentagon with “Honoring Our Heroes,” paint jobs on their cars.

Newman’s car sported a special 9/11 logo fearing the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and the American Flag; the inscription, “WE WILL NEVER FORGET,” on the hood, rear quarter-panels and TV panel; and, more poignant, the names of the 75 Army personnel killed at the Pentagon.

“I’m proud to represent the Army and proud to honor the 75 fallen soldiers who are on my hood,” Newman said Friday. “It’s a unique situation … you’re representing people that made a difference and are no longer here.”

Ten other drivers are remembering the 9/11 victims with “Honoring Our Heroes” paint jobs: Trevor Bayne, Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, David Gilliland, Jimmie Johnson, Jamie McMurray, Danica Patrick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Tony Stewart.

Newman did not wait until the weekend to honor the 9/11 victims. He and Army-sponsored NHRA top fuel driver Tony Schumacher visited Arlington, Va., Thursday, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as visiting National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial.

“It’s difficult for me because I’m the kind of person who likes to celebrate life. I’ve never gone to a grave, save for this past week, to honor somebody’s life – to me, it’s honoring the ones that are around you,” Newman said. “It’s a different situation talking about the military, people that have made those sacrifices.”

His efforts to honor the dead are appreciated by the living, however.

“I had people in the Pentagon who kind of figured out who I was – even sitting down to eat lunch at the dining hall,” Newman said. “People caught on who I was and thanked me for what I do for the Army. … I’m not the kind of guy to get the warm and fuzzies inside, but you feel like you’re doing your job and making the right difference.”

Nevertheless, once the green flag dropped at the start of the race Saturday night, Newman’s focus is elsewhere.

“On the race track I’m thinking about what I have to do to hit my marks and give our team the best potential possibility for a victory,” Newman said. “The way [9/11] affected our freedom, the way it changed our perspective on our vulnerability is something that we all need to keep in the back of our minds. But when I’m on the race track it’s all about racing.”