CNP announces new NASCAR Fleet Honoree Program

All Hands, March, 2008

Vice Adm. John C. Harvey, Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP), recently announced he is seeking nominations for the Navy Motorsports 2008 Fleet Honoree Program (FHP) to highlight the accomplishments of Sailors in the fleet.

In conjunction with its sponsorship of the Dale Earnhardt Jr.-owned JR Motorsports No. 88 "Accelerate Your Life" Monte Carlo SS in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS), Navy motorsports will honor hard-charging commands, squadrons, ships, and more, with a full-immersion racing experience during 33 race weekends this season.

"We've enhanced this year's program to truly honor our top-performing commands," Harvey said about the FHP, which offers those commands selected the opportunity to experience a NNS race from the team's vantage point. "There is tremendous similarity in the type of teamwork that exists in the JR Motorsports team and that on the flight deck of a carrier, or the bridge of a ship or submarine, and this experience is designed to highlight that synergy and reward our top performers."

Highlights of the FHP include: Six credentials for Sailors to view a NNS race from the team pit area, with two Sailors serving as team honorary pit crew members; pre-race garage tours; placement of the command name on the race car; potential autograph signing with the team driver, and more.

"Through our partnership with the U.S. Navy, we have had the distinct pleasure of meeting many of the hard-working men and women of the Navy each weekend at the race track," said Dale Earnhardt Jr., team owner of JR Motorsports. "We have a mutual respect for each other. Their face of excitement when they're at the track is the same as mine when I'm on a ship or in their backyard.

"I'm really proud to be part of the Navy team and honored to be a part of an incentive program that will bring more deserving sailors to NASCAR Nationwide Series races throughout the season."

Story courtesy of Chief of Naval Personnel, Washington, D.C.