NASCAR Salutes Army Guard, Reserve Troops and Employers
American Forces Press Service
ARLINGTON, Va., April 6, 2004 – Richard Childress Racing and Bobby Labonte, the
2000 NASCAR Cup Series champion, joined forces with Employer Support of the
Guard and Reserve at the Texas Motor Speedway April 3 in the first of a NASCAR
"Dream Team" lineup of drivers.
NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte is flanked by Bob Hollingsworth,
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve executive director, left, and Maj.
Ted Hart, ESGR regional deputy director, as they pose with Army Reserve troops
at the Texas Motor Speedway, April 3. DoD photo
(Click photo for screen-
resolution image); high-resolution
image available. |
Labonte drove the ESGR No. 29 Army National Guard/Army Reserve car in a first
of five Busch Series Races to salute supportive employers of National Guardsmen
and reservists.
The program's driver lineup, announced at the Daytona International Speedway in
February, also includes Tony Stewart, Ricky Craven, Kerry Earnhardt and Kevin
Harvick.
Stewart is scheduled to compete May 1 at the California Speedway, representing
the Marine Corps Reserve. Craven will run July 10 at the Chicagoland Speedway
for the Navy Reserve. Earnhardt will follow Sept. 25 at the Dover (Del.)
International Speedway in the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve car, and
Harvick will wrap up the program Nov. 2 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway,
representing the Coast Guard Reserve.
Also, Richard Childress Racing's No. 2 AC Delco Chevrolet, driven by Ron
Hornaday, will carry the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve logo on its
rear deck lid for the entire 2004 NASCAR Busch Series season.
"It's a great opportunity to get back in the Busch Series in a very unique
situation, driving a car for Richard Childress, which is not like driving for
Joe Gibbs or one on my own," said Labonte. "Texas is the only planned race for
me to be in the ESGR car this year. That makes this unique because it's a one-
time deal for me."
"I really appreciate Bobby starting the ESGR program for ESGR and RCR," said
Childress, president of the racing team that bears his name. "It makes sense to
have him do this in his home state of Texas. This program is about honoring the
employers who have signed statements of support for the ESGR, and are doing
everything they can to support their employees who serve in the National Guard
and Reserve."
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