Marine veteran and ARCA Menards Series driver Josh White is making his 2025 racing season about more than speed and competition — he’s turning every lap into a powerful message about veteran suicide awareness. White, a former U.S. Marine Corps Reservist and one of the very few Marines to compete at NASCAR’s national level, is using his platform to draw attention to a crisis affecting America’s military community.
“The known number is that we lose 22 veterans a day from veteran suicide, but the number is much higher than that,” White stated on his official page. This sobering truth drives his mission for the year — to keep the conversation alive and encourage action that can save lives.
A Mission-Driven 2025 Racing Campaign
White’s return to ARCA Menards Series competition in 2025 includes high-profile appearances with Clubb Racing Inc., highlighted by a race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 11 — a date of deep national remembrance. For White, racing on this day carries an added weight, merging the energy of the sport with a moment of reflection on service, sacrifice, and those we’ve lost.
His campaign is more than symbolic. In addition to competing on track, White is inviting families to participate in his mission by honoring veterans who have died by suicide. During select 2025 races, he will pay tribute to these fallen heroes, ensuring their names and service branches are recognized and remembered.
How Families Can Honor a Veteran
Families wishing to have a veteran honored during one of Josh White’s races can email the veteran’s full name and branch of service to:
mobryan@dbh.sbcounty.gov
This email is part of the race tribute program and is not a crisis resource.
Why the 22-a-Day Statistic Matters — and Why the Reality Is Worse
The phrase “22 veterans a day” has become a rallying cry in the fight against veteran suicide. It originates from a 2012 Department of Veterans Affairs report estimating that 22 veterans took their own lives daily between 1999 and 2010. While widely used to communicate urgency, more recent research suggests the actual number may be higher, with certain veteran populations facing even greater risk.
White’s acknowledgment of this reality is central to his mission: awareness must be paired with resources, connection, and real avenues for help. By linking his racing career to this cause, he brings veteran suicide prevention into spaces it might not normally reach — from racetrack grandstands to national television broadcasts.
A Veteran’s Perspective at the Wheel
Josh White’s credibility in speaking on these issues comes not just from his platform, but from his service. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 2010 and served until 2015, balancing military duties with his racing ambitions. In 2015, he made his debut in the ARCA Menards Series, eventually progressing to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. His career has been defined by perseverance — a quality he now applies to his advocacy work.
White’s racing numbers may appear in results sheets, but his focus in 2025 is on a different kind of scorecard — one that measures how many conversations are started, how many veterans are reached, and how many lives are ultimately saved.
Resources for Veterans and Families
White’s campaign is a call to awareness, but it’s also a reminder that help is available right now for veterans in crisis — and for their loved ones.
National Resources:
- Veterans Crisis Line (24/7): Call 988, then press 1; Text 838255; or Chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat
Connecticut Resources:
- Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs: portal.ct.gov/dva — veteran benefits, housing assistance, and support services
- United Way of Connecticut – 211: Dial 211 or visit 211ct.org for local crisis help, counseling referrals, and veteran-specific programs
You do not need to be enrolled in VA benefits to access these services.
Racing with Purpose
By fusing the excitement of motorsports with the urgency of mental health advocacy, Josh White is redefining what it means to race for a cause. Every lap in 2025 will be more than just a statistic on a leaderboard — it will be a moving tribute to the veterans we’ve lost, a message to those still fighting silent battles, and a rallying cry for communities to stand together.
For updates on Josh White’s 2025 season, upcoming tribute races, and opportunities to get involved, follow his official channels or visit the ARCA Menards Series website.
