An ARMY Nascar Race Car??? Whose idea was this?

[Maine Mary]

Last weekend I attended a Nascar event in NH. My first (and probably last) ever. Just not my "thing".

Nonetheless, since our seats were near all of the pit crews, I noticed an Army pit team. Immediately the thought struck me... Gee, isn't the military budget paid for by all of us? And if that is the case, isn't it an abuse of our tax dollars to spend them on a sport normally sponsored by private donors? IF.... of course that's what they are doing.

So I googled "Army Nascar Racing" and the 2 things below came right up. (I couldn't open them though which is why I copied the google thing.)

Oh and BTW the beginning ceremony, shown on a huge screen, had GW's smirk all over it w/many flag referances. Then they brought out this big ceremonial military flag display and let out red white and blue baloons in perfect sinc with military planes flying over.

My point? Well I was just wondering if any of you have further info. For example, IF our tax dollars pay for this; how long has it been going on? And does bother any of you?



GoArmy.com | US Army Racing
... The US Army NASCAR team and car. The Army 01 Team is hard at work
preparing for the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. Look for the new US ...
www.goarmy.com/events/racing/acar/index.jsp - 28k - Cached - Similar pages


GoArmy.com | US Army Racing
US Army logo, link to www.GoArmy.com, Army Team Crossover | Photo of Stryker
vehicle. ... Compare Them, Army Team Crossover | Photo of Stryker vehicle. ...
www.goarmy.com/events/racing/ - 22k - Cached - Similar pages
< More results from www.goarmy.com >

[Zomby Woof]

1. all military branches contract with private ad agencies

Sad, but true. I used to be employed with a company who did the middleman work between ad agencies and newspapers, and the Army was one of our clients through their private, corporate ad agency, a prominent one which handled lots of famous clients. In other words, it's no different with NASCAR, who sells advertising to any willing client they can obtain a contract with.

The Post Office sponsored Lance Armstrong, and they are a government corporation, so the ARMY/NASCAR hookup isn't any different.

I'll add, the government could buy the ads directly, but most potential sellers prefer business with ad agencies instead of the company (or gov't agency) directly, and ad agencies can aggressively push for lower rates, which means... saving tax dollars.

But I admit I don't care much for the deal. The issue falls back on whether gov't agencies should advertise at all, in any circumstance, beyond public service announcements or publications.

[No2W2004]

2. It's promotional

The Army has a NHRA drag team as well, the Air Force co-sponsers a Nextel Cup Car, The Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard sponser Busch cup teams. The teams have been around for a couple of years.

[Only Me]

3. Joe Nemechek (sp?) drives the Army car....

I think it came out this year. I remeber when it first came on.
There used to be an army car a few years back, but this one came on
right before they started calling for more people to sign on with the
military. This is info on that car.
#01 - car number
Nelson Bowers - car owner
MB2 Motorsports - Team
Joe Nemechek - Driver
Chevrolet - car type

[Maine Mary]

4. Thanks for the info everyone!

:-)

[Zomby Woof]

5. you're welcome

We just don't see enough of you on here anymore! :donut:

And personally, I think the wonderful state representative from Maine should have been a speaker tonight. ;-)

[Ernesto]

6. It's been goin' on for decades my dear

I can remember it from the 60's ..... Where is a better place to find able bodied young roosters?

[GOPisEvil]

7. How come YOU weren't invited to the DNC?!

;-)

It's all about advertising and making your product "hip" and "cool". Your tax dollars at work. :-)

[BlondieK143]

8. Maybe the budget is paid for by us

But they're risking their lives to preserve our way of life. I say - Give 'em hell! (Though Jr.'s still my fav).