NASCAR team Legacy Motor Club and the U.S. Air Force announced Saturday an extension that is older than the team, at least in its current configuration, is. The military branch will continue with the No. 43 Chevrolet and driver Erik Jones for the 2023 season.
It marks the 15th season the USAF has been connected with NASCAR. Much of that time has been with Petty Racing, which became Petty-GMS Racing, and last season with the addition of new co-owner Jimmie Johnson, Legacy Motor Club.
It wasn’t all that long ago that all the US military branches used NASCAR as a recruiting tool both through car sponsorships, and at-track activations that included recruiting events, and even the swearing in of new recruits in front of fans. But in 2013 the US Congress began to investigate the taxpayer money spent on those efforts looking for results. That pushed the Marines, Army, Navy, and National Guard away leaving the Air Force as the lone survivor.
Like they always have, the Air Force will use paint schemes on the racecar and at-track activations including recruiting efforts.
“The U.S. Air Force is thrilled to announce the renewal of our partnership with Erik Jones and the No. 43 team, Legacy Motor Club, and the addition of Jimmie Johnson as team owner. A partnership that solidifies our commitment to excellence and success in the 2023 racing season,” said Tech. Sgt. Tyson Wagstaff, program manager, U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service in a press release. “This partnership also supports our recruiters in finding skilled individuals, who share a passion for competition and teamwork and appreciate science, technology, engineering and math, to serve our country. We look forward to cheering on the No. 43 team as they soar to new heights and inspire the next generation of Airmen and Guardians.”
An extension was also announced with the team last season when it was still Petty-GMS Racing. As part of that a contest was held by the Air Force Recruiting Service asking active duty airmen to design a paint scheme. The winning paint scheme ran on the No. 43 car at Talladega Superspeedway last April.
“It’s been an honor to represent the U.S. Air Force the last few years and I’m excited to continue our partnership to have them on our No. 43 Camaro for this season,” said Jones. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet some pretty remarkable airmen the last few seasons and I look forward to meeting many more this year. Our partnership with the Air Force is such a great program to be a part of and I hope we can give them a little excitement this season and a few trips to victory lane.”
The U.S. Air Force will appear on the No. 43 for three primary races: Talladega Superspeedway (April 23), Charlotte Motor Speedway on Memorial Day weekend, (May 28) and Bristol Motor Speedway (September 16).
“I’m very proud of the program we have built with the U.S. Air Force for the last 15 seasons on the No. 43,” said Petty. “I’ve had the honor to meet many men and women who are serving over the years and it’s great to see their association with our team be successful both on and off the track.”
It will be the first season with the USAF for new team co-owner Johnson whose two grandfathers served in the Air Force.
“The relationship we have with the U.S. Air Force is something I am very proud of as a new team owner, and Erik and the No. 43 team will be very competitive this season,” Johnson said. “I’ve had some very close ties with military sponsors and organizations in the past, and we will do everything we can to help the U.S. Air Force meet their goals both on and off the track.”
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