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and bombing to night-fighting and Delaware, America’s “First State,” might earned national recognition – in particular,
photo-reconnaissance. seem an odd spot for a varoom-zoom the Abilene Trophy, which is presented
sport with Southern roots, but it has annually to a civilian community for
Although the Firebird I prototype may been hosting successful NASCAR outstanding support to a nearby Air
have been developed back in 1953, its events since July 6, 1969, date of the Mobility Command.
extreme, forward-looking design still Mason-Dixon 300. Winner of that inau-
turns heads when it pops up in Victory gural effort? None other than Richard In 2016, Dover won the Abilene Trophy for
Lane each year in Daytona. Petty, who dubbed the race NASCAR’s the third time. (Previous years were 2008
“Invasion of the North.” and 1999, the second time the trophy was
On a grand scale, then, the military and awarded.) One of the reasons: The pro-ac-
NASCAR share an association that can Dover International Speedway sits on a tive approach taken by leadership at the
be historically connected and generally 750-acre plot and boasts a high-banked, Air Force Base, Chamber of Commerce
understood — but the connection goes one-mile concrete oval called “The and NASCAR, as they work together at all
much deeper and is more complex when Monster Mile.” NASCAR holds two races levels to help each other succeed.
viewed at the granular level. each year at this state-of-the-art facility.
A few miles southeast of the Speedway- Examples:
Spend an afternoon watching “Top Gun” about a 15-minute drive past Home De-
(1986) and “Days of Thunder” (1990) pot, Red Lobster, iHop and the Cowboy Retired Major General Gus Hargett,
back-to-back, and it’s easy to connect Up Saloon – sits Dover Air Force Base. the National Guard Association’s CEO,
the dots: Pilot to driver. Pit crew to served as honorary pace car driver for
ground crew. Race-car to airplane. Dover is home to the 436th Airlift Wing 2016’s Citizen Soldier 400. In addition,
of the Air Mobility Command (known as the USO performed during pre-race
Speed, competition, rivalry – check, Eagle) and the 512th Airlift Wing of the ceremonies, two F-16 fighter jets from
check, check. Air Force Reserve Command (a.k.a. Lib- the 149th Fighter Wing of the Texas Air

erty) that together make up “The Dover National Guard performed the flyover,
And it’s not an abstract comparison. Team,” which provides airlift and aerial the Dover Air Force Base (AFB) Honor
refueling to United States armed forces Guard made an appearance prior to
One could select any number of venues as well as humanitarian support at home the singing of the National Anthem, and
to illustrate the reciprocal relationship and around the world. red, white and blue confetti filled the air
between the military and NASCAR, during the post-race celebration.
but Dover, Delaware, seems a particu- On a more somber note, it’s also home
larly ideal square upon which to step. for America’s largest military mortuary Dover AFB welcomed Monster Energy
Dover’s dynamism flows from multiple where flag-covered coffins containing Cup Series driver Aric Almirola and more
sources: It’s Delaware’s capital, the those killed overseas are brought after than three-dozen other NASCAR par-
state’s second-largest city, and Kent being flown to Dover and disembarked in ticipants aboard a C-17A Globemaster
County’s county seat. Notably, it was subdued ceremonies, the last stop these III that was air-refueled by a KC-135R
a stop on the Underground Railroad, a heroes make before being returned to Stratotanker during a specially arranged
stealthy system of tracks and paths that families and loved ones. two-hour flight on September 29, 2016.
connected safe houses used by fugitive
slaves seeking freedom in the 19th NASCAR, the Air Force and the city Mike Tatoian, president and CEO of
century. have inter-connected in way that has Dover International Speedway, invited

THE OFFICIAL NASCAR 2019 Preview & PRESS GUIDE 267