Participating drivers include #16-Greg Biffle [Busch Series], #4-Ward Burton, #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #24-Jeff Gordon, #11-Denny Hamlin, #88-Shane Huffman [Busch Series], #48-Jimmie Johnson, #01-Mark Martin, #25-Casey Mears and #47-Jon Wood. The cars were unveiled Tuesday at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. Distinguished members of the military kicked off the American Heroes tribute in grand style with a military color guard presentation and the presentation of the cars that will run in the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend to show their support for Americas armed forces.
The NASCAR team owners, sponsors, drivers and employees donated the space on their cars to collectively thank the armed forces at the Coca-Cola 600.
The American Heroes Memorial Day Tribute is being supported by Sprint Nextel, which will conduct a national fundraising campaign to encourage Sprint Nextel customers to support the troops with their donations to the USO. Diecast models and officially licensed merchandise of the participating drivers will be available for sale through Motorsports Authentics. The American Heroes program hopes to raise significant funds for American military families in need through the effort.
Cool!
NASCAR to salute military through American Heroes
By Joe Menzer, NASCAR.COM
May 9, 2007
http://cgi.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/official/05/08/american.heros.salute/index.html
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For Lt. Gen. Clyde A. Vaughn of the Army National Guard, teaming up with NASCAR for a special tribute to the armed forces this Memorial Day seemed a natural.
“NASCAR is about people,” Vaughn said Tuesday. “Everything they do is about the team approach. It’s the same way with the services. Our core value is people. As technology catches up, unless you’ve got superior people and the teamwork to go with it, you’ll never turn out on top.
“They do exactly what we do. We’re very much respectful of the way they conduct their business. The tribute they give to our nation before every race that starts, their everyday caring about soldiers and the way the conduct themselves, we’re very proud of them and it’s a great sport to be associated with for us.”
Vaughn was at Lowe’s Motor Speedway to help announce the American Heroes Memorial Day salute to the armed forces that will take place at LMS prior to the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27.
Mark Martin has always been my favorite. Although I was disheartened when he left Roush and went to Ginn. But since Mark is in the ARMY CAR 01, I still continue to pull for him. It means a lot to the troops because they always want to know how the Army Car finished.
With a son in Iraq, who could go wrong in picking Mark Martin to win? And the US Army is a winner as well!
2nd choice Carl Edwards. Takin Care of Business!