Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jason Hull | Spc. Joshua Lucas, a multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainer assigned to...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. — More than 20 Army and Air Force service members from across Fort Bragg received a rare look into the world of professional motorsports as they visited the Richard Childress Racing Campus in Lexington, Monday. The group consisted of a number of lifelong and passionate racing enthusiasts as well as several unfamiliar with, but interested, in the NASCAR world.
The free visit included a detailed tour of the RCR’s engine and fabrication shops and a trip through the 47,000 square foot Racing Museum, which displays nearly 50 cars driven in historic NASCAR races, including the car in which racing legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. won the 1998 Daytona 500.
The icing on the cake for super-fans in attendance was the opportunity to chat with and get autographs from several professional drivers who, in turn, expressed eagerness to rub elbows with those that had volunteered to serve their country.
“As a racecar driver, we have a lot of unique opportunities that are presented to us, but these are the things I find most rewarding,” said Brian Scott, professional stock car driver for both the NASCAR Xfinity and Sprint Cup series. “It’s great to be able to spend time with them and talk to them.”
As an added bonus, the visiting Soldiers and Airmen witnessed an actual pit crew in action as they demonstrated the rapid and precise techniques used to fuel and swap out the tires of a race car in mere seconds: understandably crucial skills for a pit crew amid the fierce competition of a speedway. Several service members attempted the tasks themselves, although their valiant efforts couldn’t quite match the proficiency of the trained pit crew.
According to one of the event’s organizers, hospitality for military members is a longstanding directive for the motorsports company that reached its milestone one-millionth lap last weekend.
“It’s a passion of our leader and president, Richard Childress,” said Jeremy Burleson, the managing director, partnership marketing and team communications for RCR. “I hope that this continues ... and that this group continues to grow next year and the year after that.”
Burleson said he enjoys sharing his joy of the racing world and considers it a personal way to give back as a token of his own gratitude for the sacrifices service
members make.
“It’s very worthwhile in my opinion,” he added. “It’s a day that I look forward to each and every August.”
One might suggest that there could be no better assignment than North Carolina, the heart of the racing world, for a paratrooper who states that he’s been a fan since age 2 and has never missed a race.
“My favorite part was getting in with the pit crew,” said Spc. Neil Gibson, a forward observer assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. “I really did not know what it was like to do their job.”
Gibson said his command team knows how much he loves motorsports and that he was selected to attend the event as a reward for his hard work and dedication to his job.
“No words can describe it,” he said. “It’s a really good feeling to get up close and personal with the crew and the staff.”
| Date Taken: | 08.25.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2015 11:42 |
| Story ID: | 174180 |
| Location: | LEXINGTON, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 242 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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