NASCAR will continue its long-standing tradition of supporting the United States Armed Forces with NASCAR: An American Salute, a platform that rallies teams, tracks, fans and partners to collectively honor active and retired service members and military families. NASCAR: An American Salute kicks-off Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Coca-Cola 600 and concludes Independence Day weekend at Daytona International Speedway’s Coke Zero 400.
NASCAR has a long-standing tradition of supporting the brave men and women who devote their lives to protecting our country. During this special time period running from May 25-July 5, the industry will have the opportunity to collectively express our reverence, respect, and gratitude to the millions of members of the United States Armed Forces for the sacrifices they have made in defending our nation.
“Honoring our nation’s military is a long standing tradition in our sport,” said NASCAR President Mike Helton. “The NASCAR: An American Salute platform truly enables us to collectively express our gratitude to the millions of members of the U.S. armed forces and their families for the sacrifices they have made in defending our nation.”
During the seven-week span between the two races, teams, tracks, partners and fans will show their thanks through various activities on and off the track. The wider NASCAR community can show gratitude by visiting www.NASCAR.com/Salute and using the hashtag #NASCARsalutes on Instagram and Twitter.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams will showcase their support by displaying patriotic-themed elements and paint schemes on their race vehicles at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover International Speedway, Pocono Raceway, Michigan International Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, Daytona International Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Gateway Motorsports Park and Road America.
In honor of Memorial Day weekend, NASCAR together with Honor and Remember, Inc., will display specially prepared Honor and Remember flags representing each of the 50 United States throughout the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Additionally, NASCAR will host two Gold Star families who have each lost loved ones in service to our nation.
Throughout NASCAR: An American Salute, NASCAR and the Armed Forces Foundation will host military families at each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The service members will attend the race as part of NASCAR Troops to the Track Presented by Bank of America, a season-long program that hosts active duty military, veterans and military families to races across the country for customized at-track experiences.
NASCAR Official Partners will also come together to support the initiative through patriotic and military-themed activations, including:
§ Goodyear’s fifth annual “Goodyear Gives Back” charitable program, launched with the running of “Support Our Troops” messaging on all tires used during Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Goodyear will also host, in partnership with the NASCAR Foundation, an online charity auction with NASCAR memorabilia, VIP race experiences and rides on the Goodyear Blimp. Goodyear is matching funds raised through this auction, up to $50,000, to help the military and their families. Information about the program, the Support Our Troops organization and the auction can be found at Goodyear.com/GivesBack.
§ Bank of America, the largest employer of military service men and women, will launch its “Express Your Thanks” campaign where fans can use the hashtag #troopsthanks alongside a message or video of thanks to help generate donations up to $1 million for Welcome Back Veterans and the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Bank of America, in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the US Chamber, will host a military job fair at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Thursday, May 22.
§ NASCAR, Coca-Cola, Mars Chocolate North America, and Mondelez have collaborated to create a unique program designed to engage authorized shoppers in over 180 military commissaries. Coca-Cola Racing Family Member Austin Dillon will visit the Fort Bragg Commissary South store in North Carolina to give away four tickets to the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on May 25. From May 23 to June 6, commissary shoppers can enter the 2014 Champions Week Sweepstakesfor a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week by texting NASCAR Salute to 313131 or by visiting http://2014championsweeksweeps.com/
§ Additional participating partners include: 3M, Axalta, Coors Light, Ford Motor Company, Mechanix Wear, Camping World, New Holland, 5.11, FDP, Mobil 1, Nationwide Insurance, Sherwin-Williams, Sprint and Toyota.
NASCAR: An American Salute will conclude at Daytona International Speedway’s Coke Zero 400 where all active duty military, veterans and their families can enjoy the Troops Welcome Center Presented by Coca-Cola. The center, which will be located in the midway, will be fully equipped with food and beverages, allowing service members to take a break, meet NASCAR drivers, executives and personalities throughout the weekend. Additionally, The NASCAR Foundation will partner with The Armed Forces Foundation on Operation Caring Classroom, an annual education initiative that increases awareness, appreciation and support among children for military families. The NASCAR Foundation will help compile school kits for 1,750 classrooms across the United States.
NASCAR PR
