Don Schumacher Racing has done wonderful things promoting the United States Army to NHRA fans all over the world. When Tony or Angelle or Antron speak of them in post race interviews, I know it makes those serving in the Army extremely proud. Furthermore, I'm sure it's encouraging young men & women to enlist to support this great country.

Additionally, Doug Herbert has done great things for Marines who have recently returned from serving overseas by bringing them into his pit area and allowing them to join his team on the starting line. A wonderful reward for those who defend our freedom.

My question is this: Why aren't all three of the other branches (I'm not counting the Coast Guard) investing in NHRA Championship Drag Racing? I heard from someone I consider extremely reliable that it was because the Army had exclusive rights to NHRA, though I don't quite understand what that means, or why. If it's true, why would NHRA allow that? Given today's climate, wouldn't NHRA want to support all of the branches of the service to the maximum extent possible? It seems to me the annual Army vs. Navy game gets a lot of attention - couldn't that type of rivalry be marketed for 23 races a year on a slightly smaller scale to a potentially larger group of people?

If anyone has insight or understanding of this particular marketing situation, I'd love to be educated.

Thanks to DSR, Doug Herbert & all the teams, drivers & crews who support our military - I, for one, sincerely appreciate it.

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Gordon 'Flaps' Carlon
Work the solution, not the problem.

Each branch of the military has separate marketing.

Don has done a great job with the Army, which has the biggest budget.

Support Our Troops!

Jim

Thanks Jim, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping you'd answer.

If I understand you correctly, the other branches could invest in NHRA if they wanted too, they just have smaller budgets so they choose not to. There is no exclusivity (not even sure that's 'officially' a word) for the Army?

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Gordon 'Flaps' Carlon
Work the solution, not the problem.

There is no exclusivity. The other branches just need to be "shown the way".

If I show up at Gary's pit area in Vegas in my Navy Whites am I going to get shooed away... and no, the pun is NOT intended.

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Gordon 'Flaps' Carlon
Work the solution, not the problem.

I'd like to see the U.S.Navy involved as well.I'm being partial as my Dad is a retired Senior Chief,but I also remember Garlits' and McEwen's cars with Navy sponsorship.

Everyone is welcome at DSR AND all the pits. There is a tremendous amount of respect for ALL US military servicemen throughout drag racing. Come on by. I'll be the 1st to give thanks for the Navy's contribution to our lifestyle.

I have been all over the world. Trust me when I tell you we are the luckiest people on the planet.

Jim

My son was in the Navy during Opertion Desert Storm. That was the best four years of his life. It changed him from a directionless teenager into a mature adult with work skills.

I was in the Army for four years back in the 70's.

We are both avid drag racing fans and try to attend the event in Columbus every year.

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Jay Smith
www.fantasydragracing.homestead.com
www.myspace.com/styxboy

I know the Air Force sponsors a NASCAR team, but don't ask me which driver or any of that. I saw these great Air Force Racing hats at the BX at Ramstein -- or was it Vogelweh? -- while I was in Germany last month, but was totally disappointed they were for a NASCAR team.

I think the Marine Corps also sponsors a NASCAR team...I have a theory, now keep in mind, this is just a theory, but I'd bet because NASCAR is growing so much (or so the media tells me) that the USAF and USMC are going for the arena where they would get the most exposure to potential recruits. Again, just an educated guess.

I, too, would love to see the other branches sponsoring NHRA teams. It's nice to see Tony Shumacher providing soldiers an opportunity to be portrayed in a positive light. I hear from many teenagers through my work as a reporter who choose to enlist that their peers don't understand why they choose to serve their country. I would guess the nightly news has something to do with it. So, as I said, it's nice to see these men and women praised for serving.

If I remember, the USMC used to sponsor Larry Nance. I know my brother likes the Army car, and is about 27 days from getting out of the service. Unfortunately he'll miss Sonoma with me, but will attend next year. When he was in Iraq (almost 18 months straight) I sent him Army hero cards signed, just to give his bunk a little 'nitro' action.

Thanks DSR, and all the teams that support our troops.

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Evil Squirrels Are After My Nuts
Avatar courtesy of T-Nebraski

this is a legit question...would the other branches get the same access to recruiting. i know the army is in an 'official' status on programs like youth and education services among other things. i'm sure the recruiting possibilities of being at the track turn a branch on just as much as on track exposure, maybe more. i remember reading a jon asher column not too far back that touched base on this...

here's a big HOOAH to the men and women serving our country across the globe!

-former US Army Tank driver turned TAFC driver....

I was told that DSR has an exclusive with NHRA. Other branches of service were not allowed to go head to head with Army colors.


I am repeating what I was told. I would really like to here it is not true. Exclusives are detrimental to the growth of our sport. Competition is a good thing. Contrary to what you may have been told. Why is there a Shell gas station across from every Amoco (BP) And a White Hen near every 7-11 ?

I was told the same thing a couple years ago, but Mr.Jannard wrote in one of the first posts on this thread that there is NO exclusivity, the other branches just need to be shown the way. I trust he would know, he's pretty close to DSR, no? He also mentioned, however, that the Army has the most to spend - so that may have a lot to do with it.

I would love to see the branches competing against each other out there on the track... Seeing a Top Fuel dragster painted up like the Blue Angels (Shirley had a one or two race deal for this a few years back) would be great. A black, gold & red car painted up for the Marine Corps & an Air Force blue car.

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Gordon 'Flaps' Carlon
Work the solution, not the problem.

Here are a list of some past deals in drag racing

Mert Littlefield U S Air Force

McEwen U S Navy

Bob Pickett Larry Arnold Mickey Thompsons U S Marines


Of Course The Snake U.S. Army

Bob Perry's Hell On Wheels Tank Wheelstander