Posted on 03/03/2006 4:27:44 PM PST by SandRat
CALIFORNIA (NNS) -- Five Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) were treated to a trip to the California speedway to watch the Stater Brothers 300 NASCAR race Feb. 25.
The Sailors were selected to represent Stennis as part of the U.S. Navy Motorsports Fleet Honoree program. The program also featured Stennis’ name on the hood of the No. 88 Navy “Accelerate Your Life” Chevy Monte Carlo driven by rookie driver Mark McFarland.
“We found out Jan. 31 that Stennis had been selected to be the fleet honoree for the race in California,” said Lt. Justin Lewis, Stennis’ stock control officer. “We wanted to reward outstanding Sailors who would represent the ship well and serve as good ambassadors.”
Sailors who took the trip to Fontana, Calif., were Lewis, Sailor of the Year Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class (AW/SW) Dewayne Irvin, Junior Sailor of the Year Yeoman 3rd Class (AW) Kamurai Dembure, Ship’s Serviceman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jerome Reaux and Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class (AW/NAC) Patrick Charlot.
“Being recognized with an event like this is very important for morale,” said Dembure. “Not everybody gets a chance to do what we did. It’s good to get the chance to be recognized for our hard work.”
Attending the race in uniform, these Sailors soon found out that the cars weren’t the only attraction at the event.
“I enjoyed the atmosphere of the race and the people,” said Irvin. “It is unreal how many people came up and said thank you to us during the event. The amount of respect we received was unbelievable.”
Some of these Sailors had never experienced a NASCAR event. The experience was enough to turn some into fans.
“We started out sitting pretty high in the stands but then we got to move closer,” said Dembure. “We got to really hear the noises, feel the wind from the cars driving by and smell the rubber burning. It was a rush to see the cars drive by at 170 m.p.h. This was first experience at NASCAR, but I’m a believer now.”
Others echoed Dembure’s sentiments.
“When’s our next trip? I’m ready to go,” laughed Charlot. “Seriously, other Sailors need to experience things like this. Looking at the reactions to the Navy car and seeing the Navy band perform was my favorite part of the event. It was a big moment of pride.”
Sailors were able to talk to driver Mark McFarland before the race and receive autographs from the first year driver.
“The Navy car showed a lot of determination and perseverance,” said Lewis.
Stennis will be participating in Seattle’s Seafair in this August.
For related news, visit the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn74/.
Good ol' Stater Brothers. If you live near one, be sure to patronize it -- their prices are lower, anyway, and their meat is a zillion times better than at Ralph's, Vons, or Albertsons. Best tri-tip around, and fantastic lamb, too. Plus they're a non-union store (why their prices are noticeably lower than at the other chains) and the head honcho is a conservative. This is a grocery store well worth going out of your way to support, as they've supported this NASCAR event.
FiRe in the Hole! (military for 'plug your ears')
USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and Nascar Ping
Congrats to the sailors attending the race last week-end in SoCal.
No Cup racing this week-end, the Busch series is south of the border this week-end in Mejico.
Vegas is on deck next week-end.
My kids are going to the Vegas race next weekend. Hope they come home happy, but not broke.
Nascar.com had a 20 / 25 % off sale couple of weeks ago - got 3 Tee shirts and a hat for the boy.
"The only thing we are buying at the track is maybe a race related tee shirt - you have all the Dale Jr stuff you need. Understood?"
Kids.
How do I get rid of them? lol.
This is why NASCAR will never be in San Fransisco.
There's still room in Texas for another track.
I was refering to SF's hatred of the military, but I would like yo see another track here in CA. Either that or modify CA speedway. It's too boring.
I was referring to the negotiations further north. ;)
Thanks for posting this! Let me add a pic....
#88 Navy car owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr - JR Motorsports
Here's a video of his flight with the Blue Angels.......... McFarland also got a ride.
Since there is no Cup racing, may I solicit some opinions from ye wise ones regarding purchase of a smoker? I believe Tork, Nork and Nork were on the bbq sauce thread where I got the idea of building a smoker from terra cotta flower pots. Well, the more I thought about it, the less sensible that seems prudent for a beginner.
So, I am now hot to get me a store bought one; and a quick search has me lusting for a Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker.
Thanks
Dork
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