Troy Firefighter Top Finalist in National Contest

Tools

By Jessica Gertler

Story Created: May 9, 2012 at 4:34 PM CDT

Story Updated: May 9, 2012 at 11:44 PM CDT

From the CBS 8 Troy Newsroom-- Out of the hundreds that entered, a Troy firefighter is one of the five finalists for Crown Royal's Your Hero's Name Here 400 at the Brickyard contest.

Today, film crews were in Troy documenting finalist Curtiss Shaver's workday, and we were there to catch what Shaver calls a humbling experience.

"I was called the other day and notified that I was one of the five finalists of a contest that I didn't know I was even entered in," says Shaver.

Shaver couldn't believe it that he, out of the hundreds of applicants from across the nation, was selected.

"I already feel like a winner!" he says.

It's all part of Crown Royal's Your Hero's Name Here 400 at the Brickyard. The purpose is to highlight America's service men and women and local volunteers. The winner will receive naming rights to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on July 29.

"If I win, it will be called the Crown Royal Curtiss Shaver Brickyard 400, so that's pretty neat," Shaver says.

Brandy Cox says he nominated Shaver, because his story has been an inspiration to him and the entire team.

"He lost one of his legs, and he does it with an artificial limb. He does what any of us would do, and it's just nothing to him. I think some people, you know, would let that hold them back, and Curtiss didn't do that," Cox says.

Shaver says at 18, he lost his leg in a farming accident, and it was Troy firefighters who rescued him.

"I was in that position, and I wanted to give back to people the way they helped me," Shaver says.

While the voting hasn't started, and this experience is just beginning, Shaver says he's entering the contest with one thing in mind.

"Just to represent this fire department and firemen and what they do. Not that I'm a hero, they're all heroes. I'm just one of them. Just one of the guys," he says.

Shaver and the other four finalists will officially be announced next week.

All five will get to go to the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the winner will be announced in a special ceremony before the race.

The winner will be determined by the amount of votes he or she gets. May 21st will be the first day you can cast your vote for Shaver. Of course, we will remind you, and let you know where to vote.

For more information about the contest: https://www.facebook.com/CrownRoyal/app_135363256580552
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's onFull Schedule

Featured Content

Hot Video From AP

AP Video