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thedrifter
12-02-05, 06:24 AM
NASCAR drivers see life on Parris Island
Published Friday December 2 2005
By LORI YOUNT
The Beaufort Gazette

A day at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island proved more hazardous to NASCAR Busch Series driver Ashton Lewis Jr. than his high-speed day job.

Lewis, who drives the No. 25 Marine Corps-sponsored Ford car, "stepped funny on a line" while touring Parris Island's confidence course Thursday and was taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital with an ankle injury, said Louie Louchart, a staff engineer for the team.

"Driving 180 mph, not a problem, but walking 2 mph is difficult," said Regan Smith, who drives the No. 35 McDonald's Big Mac Ford, for which the Marine Corps is an associate sponsor.

The crew for Team Rensi Motorsports, which operates both cars, was on Parris Island to witness its sponsors at work. The team arrived Wednesday and will stay through today, watching recruits run drills and graduate.

"Just observing gives each and every one of us respect for what teamwork requires," said Chris Wright, crew chief for the No. 35 car.

Sponsoring a car that is seen in 35 races annually maximizes exposure for the Marine Corps, said Rob Winchester, a retired Marine who is the spokesman and administrative director for the team.

As a public affairs officer for the Marines in 2001, Winchester said he helped form the partnership with Team Rensi Motorsports. He said the Marine Corps was the first branch of the military to fully fund a car. All branches but the Air Force now are primary sponsors of a NASCAR vehicle, according to the NASCAR Web site.

The Marine Corps spends about $3.5 million a year on the NASCAR team, recruit depot spokesman Maj. Guillermo Canedo said.

Besides providing publicity, team members said some Marines and their relatives find pride in the car.

"It increases morale, and when you increase morale, you increase retention," Winchester said.

He said it was fun to be back on Parris Island, where he went through boot camp in the 1980s, adding that it was important for his team members to understand the Marine Corps a little more.

"It gives them appreciation for what Marines do and what they're doing in Iraq," he said. "They give us freedom" to race.

Ellie