NASCAR: Saluting The Troops
By Wyatt Earp | July 1, 2010
Code Monkey sent me this great story. It’s a little long, but it is definitely worth your time. It is also .
NASCAR and the military—it’s a bond you don’t see anywhere else in the sports world. From pre-race entertainment to sponsorship, from flybys to honored guests at the track—no one group is as closely partnered with NASCAR than the U.S. military.
But how did the marriage come to be? And why does it work so well?
The relationship is where it is today after some hard work, some controversy and some serious thinking outside the box. But one thing is for sure—the bond between NASCAR and the military is as tight as it’s ever been, and for those inside the sport, those serving our country, and those watching in the grandstands, it’s a partnership in which all who are involved are very proud.
Again, take a minute to read the article. Among other things, you’ll learn that NASCAR legend Humpy Wheeler was the man who introduced the flyover to sports events. I didn’t know that; it happened in 1984.
Topics: Racing, The Troops | 6 Comments »
July 1st, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Good article. Our coming birthday on July 4th really belongs to our men and women in uniform more than any other group, they earned it for us. Let all of us, each year, on that day, remember those who stood in harms way and preserved the union for their descendants throughout all of our history.
The commanding general of Vicksburg (Johnston?) surrendered the city on July 4th, 1863 with the words: We’ll get the best terms from the Yankees
on this day. True, they didn’t celebrate July 4th for
about 80 more years but there’s always that 10%.
July 1st, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Jon – Always someone to tinkle in everyone’s Corn Flakes.
July 1st, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Ah, NASCAR! Did you know that it can be considered an acronym?
Non-
Athletic
Sport
Centered
Around
Rednecks
July 1st, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Medic3 – And I’d take it over baseball and basketball any day of the week and twice on Saturday.
July 2nd, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Sorry Medic3, Off base there. Try throwing a 770hp, 3400 lb machine in 90deg heat with the heat inside the car to around 130 deg for four or five hundred miles.
As for being centered around rednecks, you may have a point. As a proud redneck myself, it does NOT hurt my feelings.
July 2nd, 2010 at 12:35 pm
BTW, Medic3, NASCAR IS an acronym