Ricky Craven will pilot the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) #29 Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR) Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the July 10 Twister 300 NASCAR Busch Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. ESGR is a Department of Defense agency whose mission is to gain and maintain employer support from all public and private employers for the men and women who serve in the National Guard and Reserves. ESGR and RCR have brought together some of NASCAR’s biggest stars for a five-race salute to America’s supportive employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists. Bobby Labonte finished 11th at Texas Motor Speedway and Tony Stewart brought home a second place finish at California Speedway. After Craven’s run at Chicagoland Speedway, Kerry Earnhardt will drive at Dover (Del.) International Speedway (September 25) and Kevin Harvick will run the car at Homestead-Miami Speedway (November 20). RCR has been involved with the ESGR since signing a letter of support for the group at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in October 2002. Since then, Childress has twice visited U.S. military troops stationed overseas on behalf of the ESGR, including a six-day trip this past New Year’s to Kuwait and Qatar. RCR cars carried the ESGR logo at one time or another last season, including all five competing in the 2003 Daytona 500 weekend. ESGR operates through a network of more than 2,000 volunteers throughout 55 committees located in each state, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Europe. For more information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 800-336-4590 or visit www.esgr.com.
The car is the same car Tony Stewart race to a second-placed finish at California Speedway. Ricky Craven will be sporting a blue-and-white paint scheme saluting the Naval Reserves. Since September 11, 2001, more than 22,000 men and women of the U.S. Naval Reserve have been called to active military duty to fight the war on terrorism. ESGR and RCR have brought together some of NASCAR’s biggest stars for a five-race salute to America’s supportive employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists. In addition to Ricky Craven, are Bobby Labonte (11th place finish at Texas Motor Speedway), Tony Stewart (2nd place finish at California Speedway), Kerry Earnhardt (September 25th at Dover (Del.) International Speedway) and Kevin Harvick (November 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway). The #29 ESGR Chevrolet will be pitted by the #30 AOL Chevrolet pit crew. The pit crew will be lead by crew chief Gary Cogswell, who also crew chief’s the #33 Bass Pro Shops car in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.(RCR PR), see an image of the car on my 2004 Busch Schemes page.(7-8-2004)
