NASCAR aims high with Air Force
The National Association for Stock Car Racing has combined and taken to heart these two statements with the unveiling of its Tribute to Freedom in the Millennium program. In support of military recruiting efforts, NASCAR has joined with all five branches of the armed forces to help promote and display military pride.
Action Performance Companies Inc., Jay Howard Events Inc., five NASCAR Winston Cup drivers and their respective sponsors developed the program, which features race cars spectacularly painted with military service branch themes.
"Across all of the armed services, recruitment is extremely important for sustaining the numbers of people who are trained to serve and protect our great nation," said retired Maj. Gen. Thomas Sadler, the military liaison for the program and director of the Speedway Children's Charities Foundation, the official children's charity of NASCAR.
"Through my work with Speedway Children's Charities Foundation, I have seen motorsports' popularity grow to become the largest spectator sport in the nation. Hundreds of thousands of fans root for their favorite drivers and teams every weekend," Sadler said. "The Tribute to the Freedom in the Millennium program will create the visibility and support needed for Air Force recruitment efforts."
Sadler, a 37-year veteran of the Air Force said, "This program is a way for NASCAR fans to respectfully pay tribute to the military veterans and the men and women on active duty, and to root for the best team of all time - the United States Military Service Corps."
All five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces are represented in the program.
The Air Force car features several depictions of the Air Force, including an image of the F-16 jet fighter flown by the Thunderbirds, the Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron. In addition, the image of a fighter pilot is displayed on the doors, and the new Air Force symbol decorates both rear quarter panels.
The Air Force symbol presents two powerful images in one. It is both an eagle, the emblem of our nation, and a medal, representing valor in service to our nation.
"We were fortunate to get the Air Force car, and I think it's appropriate that we did. I know the power your planes have and the power that we have from Robert and Doug Yates building our engines is what got us the honor of representing the Air Force on our Ford Taurus," said Dale Jarrett, current Winston Cup champion and driver for the Air Force car.
"We had the opportunity to get involved in this program through the people at Action Performance who put it together for everyone," Jarrett said. "We think it's important with the race (Coca-Cola 600) being on Memorial Day weekend that we can pay tribute to the men and women involved in giving their lives. Basically, they allow Americans to live in freedom and have a country that we are proud to live in. This program is a tribute to service members on a weekend that is very important to all of us."
"I think this program is huge. We have the current Winston Cup champion flying the colors of the Air Force, and it doesn't cost us anything," said Master Sgt. Juan Demiranda, an account executive with the marketing branch for Air Force Recruiting.
"We're getting national advertising for the Air Force in the fastest growing spectator sport in America," Demiranda said. "It should have a positive impact for recruiting. One of our target groups of recruits is mechanically inclined kids - what better way to increase awareness of the Air Force than to have our planes and logos painted all over a 750 horsepower racing car?"
NASCAR drivers are powerful and positive influences on the youth of America, Demiranda said. They display a great deal of dedication, patriotism and service to country.
"I'm proud to have Dale Jarrett driving the Air Force car. He sets a great example for today's youth to follow," Demiranda said.
Master Sgt. Pamela James, an Air Force recruiter, agrees. "It's an absolutely wonderful idea. The youth of today need positive role models to follow, and I think NASCAR definitely delivers."
"Recruiting service is virtually at war trying to recruit mechanics. It is a critically short career field," James said. "Mechanics don't grow on trees."
"The car is a 'billboard on wheels' showcasing the Air Force, speed and mechanics, " James said. "I hope that the visibility of the number 88 car in the race steers many kids into my office."
When asked about the car itself, Jarrett said, "The car we chose for the Coca-Cola race is one we have raced before. It runs very well, and we decided to use it because we felt it could give us the opportunity to put our team and the Air Force in the winner's circle on Memorial Day."
The car made its race debut May 28 in the Coca-Cola 600 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, N.C., where it finished ahead of the other Armed Forces cars and fifth overall.
The race showcased a host of other events including a mass Air Force recruiting swear in ceremony, Air Force skydivers and flyovers by an A-10 Thunderbolt and an F-16 Fighting Falcon.
There is a show car version that will be available and will make appearances at different venues from Ford dealerships, Air Force bases and other places where events are happening, Jarrett said.
"Recruiting programs in the Air Force and other services are very important. Our armed forces should be important to each and every American.
"Hopefully this program helps in recruiting efforts. It's nice to be a part of it," Jarrett said.
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