Air Force announces NASCAR sponsorship for fiscal 2009

  • Published
  • By Christa D'Andrea
  • Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  Air Force officials announced Nov. 12 that it will begin a new NASCAR partnership with Gillett Evernham Motorsports when it sponsors the No. 10 car driven by Reed Sorenson for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. The Air Force's advertising agency, GSD&M Idea City, organized the sponsorship and will roll out a multimedia advertising campaign to support the partnership in early 2009.

The Air Force is both a primary and associate sponsor for the No. 10 car driven by Reed Sorenson, a 22-year-old three-time winner in the Nationwide Series. As a primary sponsor, the car will feature the Air Force paint scheme in four of 38 NASCAR races this season.

For the 2009 season, the Air Force is changing their marketing strategy to rebalance their sponsorship and activation programs to increase public awareness about the Air Force and to attract more recruits.

"Advertising and marketing that goes beyond the race track will help us connect with fans and emphasize the speed, power, precision and team work that is common to both NASCAR and the Air Force," said Col. Timothy Hanson, Air Force Recruiting Service Strategic Communications director.

The Air Force has had a long-standing relationship with Wood Brothers Racing and the No. 21 car.

"They are perhaps the most respected team in NASCAR and they have been strong supporters of the Air Force," Colonel Hanson said. "While our sponsorship has changed we will always value the services they have provided us."

The colonel added that he is excited about this new venture and confident that Gillett Evernham Motorsports and driver Reed Sorenson will provide new opportunities for the Air Force to achieve their sponsorship goals and inspire young Americans to consider the Air Force as a great career choice.

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