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IndyCar
personalized
Story by Spc.
William
E. Henry,
Indiana
Army National Guard
Posted: May 7, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS—An Indiana
Army National Guard 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team unit insignia
decal was placed on the nose of the National Guard Indy racing car
in Panther Racing’s garage at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, April 7.
Indiana Adjutant General,
Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, joined Panther Racing’s CEO, Managing
Partner, John Barnes and driver, Vitor Meira, to take part in
personalizing the National Guard Indy racecar.
“This is terribly
important, it ties us directly to them (the National Guard) and them
to us,” said John Barnes.
Barnes went on to express
his gratitude to the National Guard and explain that attending a
recent homecoming of Indiana Army National Guard Company F, 151st
Infantry Regiment, was special to him.
“Attending that ceremony
was one of the most emotional times in my life. It was such an honor
to be there,” he said.
One man who agrees with
the importance of the National Guard, Vitor Meira, says no matter
what state the team is in, the area Soldiers and Airmen should be
honored for their commitment.
“Personalizing, it just
shows how much we honor what they do. We do it to get close and more
personal. It’s important to have that connection in the region we’re
in,” said Meira.
According to Meira, in
every U.S.
state that the team races, they will place a National Guard unit
insignia decal of that state on the racecar. This process, he says,
strengthens the bond between the team and who they’re representing
on the track, no matter in what region of the
U.S.
they’re racing.
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