WRAL's Jared Fialko spoke with Tammy Lee Wharton King, who became a nurse at age 45 and will now serve as grand marshal at Sunday's NASCAR race at Darlington Speedway.
>>> ON SUNDAY NASCAR WILL HAVE 36 HONORARY GRAND MARSHALS FOR THE RACE. >> Reporter: IT MIGHT NOT BE A MONIKER TAMMY WHEATON KING IS COMFORTABLE WONDERFUL BUT SHE KNOWS ALL TOO WELL THE ALTRUISTIC NATURE OF NURSES. >> SHE JUST DID HER JOB, AND IT LITERALLY SAVED HER LIFE. SHE NOTICED SOMETHING, SHE CAUGHT IT. >> Reporter: THE SECOND. >> A MIRACULOUS RECOVERY. >> Reporter: SHE QUIT HER 20-PLUS CAREER IN ACCOUNTING. >> AT 45. >> Reporter: TO PURSUE HER NEW PASSION OF BECOMING AN ICU NURSE HERSELF AT UNC REX HOSPITAL. >> THE HARDEST THING I'VE EVER DONE, HONESTLY. >> Reporter: THIS WEEKEND AT THE TRACK TOO TOUGH TO TAME, TAMMY'S NAME WILL BE ONE OF MANY ON THE SIDE OF CARS. >> IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF FRONTLINE HEROES LIKE TAMMY KING. >> Reporter: NASCAR COULD NOT HAVE PICKED A MORE APROPOS REP. >> RECOGNIZE THAT GIRL. >> Reporter: NOT ONLY IS WHEATON KING A RACE FAN. >> THAT'S ME IN THE CAR. >> Reporter: SHE'S BEEN BEHIND THE WHEEL HERSELF A TIME OR TWO. >> I REALLY APPRECIATE NASCAR DOING THIS. YOU ALWAYS LIKE TO
