While other sponsors are bringing back their “old school” logos and designs for the Bojangles’ Southern 500, Snap Fitness is paying homage to an iconic car: Sterling Marlin’s 2001 “God Bless America” paint scheme.
Marlin’s paint scheme ran for the first time in the 2001 Protection One 400, which took place a few weeks after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Chief Marketing Officer Steele Smiley called the design moving and timely for the upcoming September 6 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
“The ‘God Bless America’ paint scheme struck a chord with us,” Smiley said. “With September 11 just days after the race, we thought this was a perfect opportunity to show our support for the victims of 9/11 and their families, as well as our appreciation for those who have served our country in the years since.”
The paint scheme for the most part stays true to the original car run by Marlin with two patriotic phrases around the car: “Proud to be an American” on the back quarter panels and “God Bless America” on the back rear. Snap Fitness added to the design with “9/11 Never Forget” on top of the trunk, complete with a skyline showcasing the Twin Towers.
This isn’t the first time Snap Fitness has showed its patriotism. All summer long, America’s Fitness Brand has run a campaign to benefit Folds of Honor, an organization that provides scholarships to families of fallen soldiers. For every 30-day trial pass purchased until Labor Day, the fitness provider is donating $1 to Folds of Honor. Now, Snap Fitness is expanding its donation efforts in a special way with the announcement of its Darlington throwback paint scheme.
“As America’s Fitness Brand, we want to do as much as we can to help veterans and show our sincere appreciation for those who have served our country,” Smiley said. “The week of the Darlington race, every time someone shares or retweets any of social media posts that include #SnapHonors or uses that hashtag in any of their own posts, we will donate $1 to Folds of Honor.”
Cassill said he loves the continuation of patriotic paint schemes on the Hillman Racing No. 40 racecar.
“It was a defining cultural moment when Sterling ran this paint scheme on his No. 40,” Cassill said. “This paint scheme pays tribute to him and all those who were affected by the Sept. 11 attacks. This is America’s paint scheme – for all who have courageously served our country.”
Hillman Racing PR
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