Budweiser and NASCAR's four-time Most Popular Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., are saluting the troops this NASCAR season with two military-themed paint schemes and collectible diecasts, the proceeds from which will provide college educations for surviving dependents of fallen Special Operations soldiers. The cars debuted during a special "One Night Stand with Dale Earnhardt Jr." event held for more than 1000 fans and many area-based troops last night at the Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie.
Budweiser's brown and beige Desert Camo #8 Chevy will race Memorial Day weekend during the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The red, white and blue Stars & Stripes car will run in honor of Independence Day at the Pepsi 400 on July 7 at Daytona International Speedway.
Budweiser will donate proceeds from the sale of the two collectible diecast car models to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF), which provides full-ride college scholarships to surviving dependents of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel killed in combat or training missions, and immediate financial assistance to special operations personnel severely wounded in the global war on terror. More than 700 dependents currently benefit from the efforts of the SOWF.
"Budweiser, Dale Jr. and fans of the #8 Chevy are proud to align with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation to help the families of our fallen soldiers and draw attention to their needs," said Randall Blackford, Director of Budweiser Marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "Anheuser-Busch has supported our nation's military and their families for more than 150 years, and we felt that a program such as this would receive great support from our friends in the NASCAR nation."
"The generosity of Budweiser and NASCAR fans will help make dreams come true for some very special children who have had to suffer through what no child should have to face - the loss of a parent," said John T. Carney, Jr., President/CEO, Special Operations Warrior Foundation. "The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is honored to have the support of such great Americans. There is no doubt that their efforts will energize some incredibly passionate people across the country who will help us make sure these children of fallen heroes are not forgotten."
For more than 26 years, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation has provided college scholarship grants for tuition, books, fees, room and board to surviving children of special operations personnel killed in combat or training missions. The SOWF has nearly 700 children in its program, and provided $1.5 million in college scholarship grants, educational, financial aid and family counseling for 109 students who attended 73 colleges and universities in 2006. With an estimated 120-125 students eligible for college each year, the Foundation's estimated financial need through 2018 is nearly $60 million. For more information, visit www.specialops.org.
Martin Truex Jr. will run a special paint scheme for the all-star race as well as the Coca-Cola 600. The paint scheme will celebrate the 35th anniversary of Bass Pro Shops.
"It's one of the coolest paint schemes I've ever seen," Truex said. "The black and silver are going to look really cool under the lights.
"I know there will be a lot of Bass Pro people at the races the next two weeks. It would be great to win both the all-star race and the 600 in that car. Bass Pro is a great sponsor and I'd love to put the new car in victory lane for them."
