NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Lance Hooper will once again race with the logo of the World Police & Fire Games on his 180-mph race truck when the series takes to the track at Richmond International Speedway on Thursday, September 5 for the “Virginia is for Lovers” 200. Hooper first carried the logo at the Indianapolis Raceway Park event leading up to the Brickyard 400 in early August. The association provides much needed exposure for the World Police & Fire Games, while giving Hooper and his crew the feeling of giving something back to police offices and fire fighters from around the world. “I became aware of the Games last year when I raced in Indy,” Hooper said. “The name of the event was “Heroes of the Heartland,” and then in September we all saw just how heroic these police officers and fire fighters are. I started thinking about ways to give them some recognition. So for the race in Indy and again now at Richmond, we are displaying the Games logo on my truck.” The World Police & Fire Games is the world’s second largest sporting event, after the Olympics, with nearly 10,000 participants. The Games are contested every two years at locations around the world. In 2001 the Games were held in Indianapolis. Future Games are scheduled in Barcelona in 2003, Quebec City in 2005 and Adelaide in 2007. Events include traditional sporting events as well as competition in events specific to police and fire fighters. “The Games have not gotten the awareness they deserve and hopefully by showing the World Police & Fire Games logo now, it will work to get interest in the Games and start to lay the groundwork for a large audience to watch it on television next August,” adds Randy Schwoerer of Schwoerer & Associates, who handles marketing and television production for the Games. Hooper will pilot the #86 TEAM Racing entry owned by Phil Bonifield. Associate sponsors on the program include Red Line Oil, Lane Automotive, and Ingles Markets. Hooper came to the team after running a limited schedule early in the season Ware Racing, and he has finished in the top 20 in each of his first three races with the new crew. Team owner Phil Bonifield is impressed with Lance’s performance. “I needed a driver that could elevate my team. We are looking for a sponsor for next season, and I needed a driver with winning experience. So far he’s proving we made the right choice.” and “Everyone at the World Police & Fire Games Federation is so excited and thankful about being recognized by Hooper at the races” says Duke Nyhus former President of the WPFGF. “Hopefully we can somehow return the favor for Lance and his manager Lisa Jackson in the future.”(PR)(9-3-2002)
