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[/media-credit]CONCORD, N.C. (May 22, 2012) – NASCAR Unites – An American Salute will bring the NASCAR industry together in support of military families starting Memorial Day race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In conjunction with this new campaign, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates’ Team Target will run a special patriotic paint scheme on the No. 42 Chevrolet during the Coca Cola 600.
The No. 42 Target Chevrolet driven by Juan Pablo Montoya will sport a patriotic red, white and blue paint scheme at Charlotte in support of the six-week initiative. Montoya will join fellow NASCAR drivers Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart, Danica Patrick and Brad Keselowski who will all sport special paint schemes.
Through this campaign, the NASCAR industry celebrates America – the heroes that serve, and the families that sacrifice for our freedom. Teams in all three of NASCAR’s national series’ along with their partners will showcase support for the program in their own individual ways. The campaign will highlight the summer season starting this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway and ending at the July race in Daytona Beach, Fla.
NOTES OF INTEREST:
· IN ADDITION: As part of the program, NASCAR and The NASCAR Foundation will work with charities to fund initiatives that support military families. A social media promotion utilizing a #NASCARUnites hashtag on Twitter will also highlight the campaign. Please visit for more information.
· PROUDLY SUPPORTS: Target proudly supports the veterans and the men and women who serve in the armed forces. In 2009, Target was named as one of the first Minnesota Yellow Ribbon Corporations for its their work to support military service members and their families. This year, Target became the latest member of a partner in the 100,000 Jobs Mission and joined other top companies in a where they pledge to hire 100,000 veterans by 2020.
· SUPPORT RUNS DEEP: Target is involved with many unique programs and partnerships to support the military. These include: annual support for United Through Reading’s Military Programs, Our Military Kids, Operation Gratitude, and The Mission Continues.
MAN BEHIND THE BULLSEYE: Juan Pablo Montoya is in his sixth full-time season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) and his fourth year with Target as a partner. The former Formula One driver, CART champion and Indianapolis 500 winner has 192 NSCS career starts with two wins, 20 top-five and 50 top-10 finishes. He currently sits 19th in the point standings; 65 points out of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
· LOOKING GOOD AT 50: 2012 marks Target’s 50th Anniversary, opening its first store in Roseville, Minn. in May 1962. Target was born out of department store roots from the Dayton Company and has become a leader of design and innovation. Now in 1,764 communities across the United States, Target has a strong legacy of giving back through support and volunteerism. This year, Target celebrates its legacy with a nod to the past and a look ahead to the exciting things to come.
· UP TO THE MINUTE: For insight into the life of Juan Pablo Montoya and his team follow them on Twitter @jpmontoya and @EGRTeams and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/jpmontoya and www.facebook.com/#!/earnhardtganassi
QUOTE BOARD:
Steve Lauletta, President, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams
“We are very pleased to join Target in supporting NASCAR Unites for this great cause. Our servicemen and women are truly heroes and this is just a small way for us to recognize their many contributions to this great country. We will be very proud to see this car hit the track later this week”.
About Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Inc.
Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 25 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world. Today his teams include two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, four in the IZOD IndyCar Series and one Daytona Prototype in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Cars Series. Since 1990, Ganassi’s Indy car teams have amassed nine championships and 86 wins while overall his teams can claim 14 championships and 145 wins; his NASCAR teams have 16 victories, one trip to The Chase, and three “Rookie of the Year” titles. Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis, Brownsburg Ind. and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Pa.
For more information log onto www.earnhardtganassi.com
