With the Bank of America 500 race finishing near midnight at the Concord, N.C. track, Nemechek caught a few hours of sleep before embarking early Sunday morning (Oct. 15) on a one-day, 2,100-mile round-trip journey to visit troops at the U.S. military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Joining Nemechek was his mother — Martha Nemechek (decked in Army fatigues) and Ashton Lewis Jr., driver of the Team Marines entry in the Busch series. The trip was arranged by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. “Not too many people get to land their airplanes in Cuba . this is very cool,” said Nemechek as he deplaned from his private jet at the GTMO airport. Though the weather was anything but cool — a welcoming sign posted the temperature at 99 degrees — Nemechek found the trip to be both rewarding and educational. Located in the southeastern end of Cuba, Guantanamo Bay is the only U.S. base in operation in a communist led country. “The facts and history of Guantanamo Bay are very interesting,” offered Nemechek. “It was pretty neat to stand next to the fence that separates Guantanamo from the communist territory of Cuba.” Nemechek added, “We were very well received by the military branches stationed in Guantanamo. There are plenty of NASCAR fans on the base. They wanted to discuss the race in Charlotte the night before. I’m glad that I had a pretty good run to talk about.” The six-hour tour included autograph and photo sessions at different points of the base, including one for non-military personnel in the downtown area. “Every time I visit our troops it’s a special feeling,. added Nemechek. .These people are making a sacrifice to protect our freedom and the freedom for future generations. It’s difficult not to get overwhelmed by what you see and what you hear. It was an honor to make the visit.”(MB2Motorsports PR)(10-19-2006)
