In the Pits- MB2

01 Car suits up in Army uniform

Joe Nemechek was a special guest of a major birthday celebration at Pocono Raceway in June. As part of the Army’s birthday celebration, Nemechek’s 01 Chevrolet carried a special paint scheme in the Nextel Cup Series Pocono 500.

“It’s never easy to shop for someone who is turning 230 years old,” joked Nemechek. “Run- ning this U.S. Army com-bat uniform paint scheme is our first gift to the U.S. Army. Putting it in victory lane soon

would be the second one.”

The paint scheme resembled the look of the new Army Combat Uniform that features a new digital camouflage pattern, a mix of green, tan and gray that is designed to help soldiers blend into the woodland, desert and urban environment more effectively. The new uniform was first fielded to deploying units in April.

“Pocono is a special weekend every year because the U.S. Army race team gets to help celebrate the birthday of the U.S. Army,” said Nemechek. “We feel honored to be a part of such a special tradition and are humbled by what these men and women do for our country.”

The hood of the 01 Army car spotlighted the theme, “Call to Duty: 230 Years.” The Army’s offi-cial theme for its 230th birthday was “Call to Duty: 230 Years of Service to Our Nation.”

To enhance the Army’s June 14 birthday, 7,500 small American flags were given to Pocono fans to celebrate not only the Army’s birthday, but Flag Day, which also falls on June 14.

“Seeing all of the fans proudly waving American flags—that was a neat thing. If you stop to reflect, 230 years of protecting freedom is pretty awesome,” said Nemechek. “I am deeply honored to drive the Army car.”