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thedrifter
05-24-06, 06:39 PM
Military drives to enlist at NASCAR venues <br />
Updated 5/24/2006 4:58 PM ET <br />
By Seth Livingstone, USA TODAY <br />
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The imposing Super Cobra and Huey helicopters are only part of race weekend attractions at...

thedrifter
05-24-06, 06:40 PM
LASTING RELATIONSHIP
Recognizing armed forces not new to NASCAR

One month after the U.S. implemented Operation Desert Storm, NASCAR saluted the armed forces. For the first time, five cars ran with branches of the U.S. military emblazoned on their hoods in the 1991 Daytona 500.

Alan Kulwicki, in the No. 7 Army Ford, finished eighth that day behind race winner Ernie Irvan. Buddy Baker drove the No. 88 Marines car, Mickey Gibbs the Air Force Pontiac, Greg Sacks the Navy Chevrolet and Dave Marcis the Coast Guard Chevrolet.

Nemechek backs Operation Gratitude

Joe Nemechek, driver of the No. 01 Army Chevrolet, understands how important it is for overseas troops to hear from home.

"When you talk to them and tell them that we're thinking about them, you see the smiles on their faces," he says. "I know it means a lot to them."

Nemechek has teamed with Checkers Drive-In Restaurants to support Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization that sends care packages to U.S. troops, and America Supports You, a Department of Defense program designed to communicate support for the military at home and abroad.

Gifts for care packages -- snack foods, disposable cameras, small battery-operated fans, CDs and DVDs as well as simple letters of support -- are being collected at Checkers/Rally's locations through June 14.

"Anything you can do to give these soldiers something that comes from home means a lot," Nemechek says. For more information, go to www.opgratitude.com.

Ellie