Navy, Stremme Team with FitzBradshaw in 2005

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Navy announced today that it will extend its partnership with NASCAR and the FitzBradshaw Racing Team for the 2005 racing season with a new driver, manufacturer and support team.

David Stremme

“We are very excited to continue our relationship with NASCAR and the FitzBradshaw Team,” said Rear. Adm. Jeffrey Fowler, Commander of Navy Recruiting. “There are a number of exciting changes in store next year, most notably Dodge as our new manufacturer, a new partnership with Chip Ganassi Racing and the welcome addition of rising star David Stremme.”

The Navy first announced its primary sponsorship with FitzBradshaw’s Busch Series last May and sponsored 11 races in 2003 and the full season in 2004. With this contract renewal, the Navy will be primary sponsor for a second full season in 2005.

NASCAR veteran Armando Fitz and Pro Football Hall of Fame member and FOX broadcaster Terry Bradshaw are the team’s co-owners. For the 2005 season they have entered into an alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing, who will provide the FitzBradshaw team with full technical and engineering support.

“Next year will be our fourth year of racing and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have the Navy renew with us for the second time in our organization’s young history,” said Fitz. “We have worked hard to perform both on and off the track for the Navy. All of our employees are proud to represent the Navy.”

The No. 14 Navy ‘Accelerate Your Life’ car switches to a Dodge Charger from a Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the 2005 season and will be driven by 2003 Busch Series Rookie of the Year David Stremme. Stremme is currently ranked 12th in the Busch Series driver standings with a total of 3,153 points for the season following last week’s race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

“I’m excited about this opportunity for several reasons. One, having the Navy as a sponsor and to represent the troops is a real honor and I am proud to be associated with them,” said Stremme.

“Also, I am excited to get things rolling for next season. And then, of course, I think it’s good to have a relationship with Chip Ganassi Racing. I think FitzBradshaw is really building something strong in the way they are restructuring and I am just happy to be a part of it.”

“We’re excited about this because it’s not only an extension of Dodge’s relationship with the Chip Ganassi organization and its partners, but also because it’s the beginning of a relationship with the FitzBradshaw Racing Team,” said John Fernandez, Director of Dodge Motorsports Operations for the Chrysler Group.

The racing and show vehicle haulers are used as traveling billboards emphasizing Navy Recruiting’s slogan, “Accelerate Your Life,” its toll-free recruiting phone number, 1-800-USANAVY, and the recruiting web site address, http://www.navy.com, are displayed to make the most of the Navy/NASCAR partnership and let as many people as possible across the country know about the value of serving in the Navy.

“NASCAR and the sponsorship of the No. 14 ‘Accelerate Your Life’ car provides an effective venue for the U.S. Navy to take its message of honor, courage and commitment to local communities and to a national audience,” said Fowler. “The FitzBradshaw team shares our values and a demonstrated commitment to success. They’ve proven themselves to be the right fit for the Navy’s motorsports program.”

For more information about Navy Recruiting, see http://www.navy.com. For more information about FitzBradshaw Racing, see http://www.fitzbradshaw.com.