DARLINGTON, S.C. (May 9, 2008) NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 88 Navy Cheverolet Monte Carlo, takes a moment for photographs with members of the crew of high-speed vessel (HSV) 2 Swift prior to the start of the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington Raceway. Swift Sailors attended the race as part of the Fleet Honoree program sponsored by the Navy Personnel Command. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Curtis K. Biasi
And of course from www.Army.mil , we have:
NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Drive National Guard Car
Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will drive the National Guard car in 2008 in NASCAR's top-level Sprint Cup Series, stands tall among National Guard Soldiers in Dallas, Sept. 19. Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn (left), director of the Army National Guard, predicted that Mr. Earnhardt will attract more people to National Guard service. Photo by Master Sgt. Bob Haskell
DALLAS (American Forces Press Service, Sept. 21, 2007) - Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose family's name is part and parcel with American motorsports legend, will drive the Chevrolet the National Guard will sponsor in NASCAR's top-level Sprint Cup series in 2008.
Mr. Earnhardt – "Junior" to the millions who follow the sport – will drive the 88 car for Hendrick Motorsports' new team, officials announced during a nationally televised news conference here Sept. 19.
The popularity of the Earnhardt name raises the Guard's participation in one of America's two most popular spectator sports, the National Football League being the other, to a new level, said Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, director of the Army National Guard.
NASCAR appeals to the same age group, 18-24, that is the prime recruiting group for the Guard and the other military services, Lt. Gen. Vaughn pointed out. The Army Guard has to recruit about 70,000 new people every year, he said at the Dallas Convention Center.
"If the strength of our recruiting is the same place that you run NASCAR, which it is, and if Dale Earnhardt Jr., is the most popular of all the NASCAR drivers, which he is, then you would think that would make a difference in the number of people who will follow the Guard, the Guard car, and maybe effectively think about joining our team," he said.
"And that's all we ask him to do. Dale will have an enormous, enormous impact on that effort," Lt. Gen. Vaughn predicted. "People will look at the partnership this way: 'The Guard is a great way to serve. It's a first-class organization. And I like Dale Earnhardt Jr. So does the Guard. I'm going to have to think about that.'"
"I think it's important to support the military, especially now," Mr. Earnhardt said, regarding his new affiliation with the National Guard.
....He has one victory in the Guard/GMAC Chevrolet, coincidentally in Ten drivers raced in cars painted in military camouflage patterns to signal their support for that cause.
(Army Master Sgt. Bob Haskell is assigned to the National Guard Bureau.)
The Memorial Day Coca-Cola 600 raises money for the Families of U.S. troops.
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