NASCAR Honors 3 Heroes: A 7-Year-Old, A Rescuer, A Teacher

When fans nominated their local heroes for recognition at Pocono Raceway's NASCAR weekend, the stories that emerged reminded everyone what true service looks like.

Bruce Barton has spent 54 years running toward danger when everyone else runs away. The disaster response veteran led search and rescue missions after the 1988 Armenia earthquake, coordinated recovery efforts at Ground Zero after 9/11, and spent two months searching for survivors after Hurricane Katrina.

His canine partners have located more than 150 people over the decades. Closer to home, he's rescued young men from raging floodwaters near Stroudsburg High School, found a missing family after a plane crash, and saved lost hikers in freezing conditions.

Kat Locke Jones turned the worst moment of her life into a lifeline for thousands. After losing her brother Sean to depression in 2018, she and her family founded SL24: UnLocke the Light Foundation and transformed his Delaware home into a youth mental health support center.

Since 2019, the foundation has reached more than 110,000 kids and helped save 214 lives. This year alone, they raised $750,000 through the SL24 Basketball Classic, expanding their reach across Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and beyond.

Locke Jones also teaches full time and was named both Baltimore City Schools Teacher of the Year and Maryland State Teacher of the Year in 2024.

Then there's seven-year-old Ronnie Munro, who saw his neighbor Sharon struggling after multiple strokes and simply decided to help. The homeschooled second-grader plays cards with her, helps around the house, and cooks her fresh meals at least once a week.

The Ripple Effect

Members 1st Federal Credit Union and Pocono Raceway received nominations through a month-long campaign asking fans to submit 500-word stories about deserving community members. Each winner receives tickets to the June 12-14 NASCAR race weekend, with Barton receiving the top prize of garage and pit passes, Terrace Club seats, and a $500 Visa card.

"Whether it is braving dangerous conditions, offering steady kindness to a neighbor or turning personal loss into hope for those who are struggling, Bruce, Ronnie and Kat each live out that belief in powerful ways," said Michael Wilson, President and CEO of Members 1st Federal Credit Union.

The three winners will enjoy a full weekend of racing, starting with the ARCA Menards Series 150 on Friday, June 12, followed by Saturday's race, and culminating in The Great American Getaway 400 on Sunday.

Sometimes the best stories aren't happening on the track.