US Army Renews Sponsorships in NASCAR and NHRA

The US Army announced plans today to continue sponsorship in three top tier American racing organizations for the upcoming 2011 season. NHRA's Tony Schumacher and Antron Brown will continue to carry Army colors on their rides for the upcoming season and Ryan Newman in NASCAR Sprint Cup's Stewart-Haas Racing stable will continue his relationship with Army into a third season at NASCAR's top level. US Army will serve as primary sponsor for 15 of the 36 races scheduled for 2011.

"Ryan Newman, Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown and their race crews continue to demonstrate our Army values and exhibit the mental, emotional and physical strength which are the hallmark of our Army Strong Soldiers," said Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, Commanding General U.S. Army Accessions Command.

Schumacher has already garnered seven NHRA titles carrying the Army banner and finished second in his 2010 run in NHRA Top Fuel Dragster.

Ryan Newman, who has delivered a win in the US Army Chevy among his 14 career victories finished the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season strong with six top 10 finishes in the Chase for The Championship and will hopefully carry that momentum in Daytona in February where he visited victory lane in 2008.

"It's been an awesome responsibility and honor to represent more than one million Army Strong Soldiers," said 'The Rocket'. "The Army branding on our Chevrolet and uniforms inspires every individual on the No. 39 team. I can't think of having better teammates than our brave Soldiers who have dedicated their lives to preserve our freedom. There is nothing we want more than to drive the Soldiers' car to victory lane."

Servicemen and women have always remained a huge inspiration to NASCAR and the whole Sprint Cup garage. Newman's dedication to his sponsor runs deep and was evident on Veteran's Day when his #39 Chevy featured the faces of 500 servicemen and women and at Phoenix during the Chase when 'Troop Newman" hosted 500 miltary members and their families at the Kobalt tools 500.

This is one of last pieces of the sponsorship puzzle for Stewart-Haas Racing for their 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup program. In addition to the 15 races as primary sponsor on Newman's #39, US Army will serve as associate sponsor for the remaining races as well as serve as an associate sponsor on the SHR's co-owner Tony Stewart's #14.

"We're honored to continue the strong partnership with the U.S. Army," 'Smoke' stated'. "Together, we have accomplished great things both on and off the track, and shared some very impactful experiences with the Soldiers who defend our country. Those brave men and women are inspiring to all of us at Stewart-Haas Racing, and we're proud to represent them again in 2011."

Stewart finished his 2011 run in NASCAR Sprint Cup with two wins, nine top five's and 17 top 10 runs including a win in the Chase for the Championship.