Ft. Benning Soldier Becomes ‘ExtenZe Local Hero’ For Atlanta Cup Race

Program Celebrates Those Who Go to Great Lengths to Make a Difference in Their Communities

With Help from Operation Homefront Georgia, US Army Staff Sgt. Javier Villanueva Refuses to Let Injury Keep Him Down

 STATESVILLE, NC (March 2, 2010) – For the sacrifice made on behalf of his country, and the fortitude he has shown to prevail over a paralyzing wound, US Army Staff Sgt. Javier Villanueva has been named an ‘ExtenZe Local Hero’ and will have the rare privilege of being the ExtenZe Racing Honorary Crew Chief on March 7 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

 In 2004, while serving with the 2nd Battalion/24th Infantry/Alpha Company, Villanueva was working a security detail assigned to protect a commander surveying neighborhoods around Mosul, Iraq.  The unit was speaking with local residents to learn of their fears in regards to insurgents.  At the last stop of the day, Villanueva’s detail was ambushed and the soldiers engaged the enemy.  During the skirmish, Villanueva was hit in the left leg by a high-velocity round fired from an AK-47.

 Villanueva’s wound was severe. He was immediately evacuated to a base in Germany where he was stabilized, and then flown back to a hospital in the United States. There he remained in bed for a month as doctors did their best to repair his injured leg. Unfortunately, the damage could not be fully reversed and Villanueva’s left leg was paralyzed from the knee down.

For the next two years, the Purple Heart recipient struggled through rehabilitation to regain mobility. At times the challenge seemed too daunting.  But his drive and desire to recapture a ‘normal’ life pushed him forward.  Six years after being wounded, Villanueva has achieved his goal. He remains a member of the U.S. Army — with 18 years of service to his credit — and is currently stationed at Ft. Benning in Georgia.

The ‘ExtenZe Local Hero’ program pays tribute to people who have gone to great lengths to make a difference. Those selected have faced danger, sacrificed their own safety for others or in some way displayed leadership that changed their community for the better.  Award recipients become ExtenZe Racing Honorary Crew Chiefs, receive a tour of the paddock, attend the pre-race NASCAR Driver/Crew Chief meeting, and sit atop the pit box with Crew Chief Peter Sospenzo to root on rookie driver Kevin Conway piloting the royal blue and red No. 37 ExtenZe Ford Fusion.  Each recipient also receives a $1,000 award from ExtenZe, the world’s best selling male enhancement product, in recognition of their selflessness.

 “I am truly humbled by our ExtenZe Local Heroes,” says racer Conway, the leading candidate for the NASCAR Raybestos Rookie of the Year. “They inspire me when I am out there racing to win. Staff Sgt. Javier Villanueva really put himself on the line for our country and I can do no less in his presence. It’s really gratifying to be able to acknowledge and honor Staff Sgt. Villanueva and to see him cheering me on from atop the pit box.”

While it is Villanueva’s own inner strength that has allowed him to triumph over adversity, he also credits Operation Homefront Georgia for lending a helping hand during times of need.  Operation Homefront Georgia provides emergency and morale assistance to troops and families during deployment, and also works to aide wounded warriors when they return home. Georgia’s chapter of Operation Homefront serves all 13 military installations within the state, including National Guard and Reserve personnel and their families.

 Also paying tribute to the ‘ExtenZe Local Hero’ is ExtenZe national spokesman, Jimmy Johnson, who led the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl in 1993 and 1994 and is currently a commentator on Fox NFL Sunday and the NFL Pre-game Show.

“There are men and women who have gone beyond and truly made a difference in their hometowns—they have saved lives, put themselves in harm’s way, pushed themselves to their limits and put it all on the line to help others,” notes Johnson. “These ExtenZe Local Heroes are heroes in the best sense of the word and I support ExtenZe in honoring these inspirational individuals.”

Fans can visit www.ExtenZeRacing.com to nominate their own local heroes or review who has been previously chosen.  Also check in on blog/twitter feeds for the latest information on ExtenZe Racing and Kevin Conway.