The Final Lap with Kerry Murphey

Partnership Strengthens Military-Motorsports Connection To Boost Troop Morale

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 15, 2011) –NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 2 Dodge for Penske Racing, and Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing,brought holiday cheer, smiles and good times to troops and their families on the NASCAR-USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during their NASCAR-USO visit Dec. 12-14.

The tour of Guantanamo Bay was part of an ongoing partnership between NASCAR and the USO to strengthen a connection between the military and motorsports in an effort to help boost the morale of U.S. troops and their families stationed around the world. The partnership also included NASCAR and the USO hosting a group of wounded warriors at the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas.

PHOTO CREDIT: NASCAR MEDIA

During the visit, Keselowski and Logano visited hundreds of sailors and coast guardsmen and their families. The pair also dined with troops, visited the U.S. Navy Hospital, signed autographs and patrolled the waters with service members.

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HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (December 16, 2011) – Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announces today that Jason Ratcliff has been named crew chief for its No. 20 Sprint Cup Series team, replacing Greg Zipadelli who is leaving the organization to pursue an opportunity with Stewart-Haas Racing.

“We appreciate everything Greg has done for us here at Joe Gibbs Racing. He has been a big part of our success, but we felt the timing was right to make this transition for our race team which allows Greg the opportunity to pursue a director of competition position with Tony (Stewart),” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “We also felt that the timing was right to bring Jason (Ratcliff) to our Cup operation. He is a proven leader with a tremendous track record in our Nationwide program and we think he and Joey will work well together.”

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Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, and Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge for Penske Racing, will step off the track and onto military bases as part of a NASCAR-USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Dec. 12-14. As part of the NASCAR-USO trip, Logano and Keselowski will share stories of life on the track, sign autographs, pose for photos and spread holiday cheer to hundreds of troops and military families.

Logano and Keselowski have participated in charitable races benefiting America’s Armed Forces and are avid supporters of the military community. Both drivers have also visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center, now known as Walter Reed National Medical Center, and spent quality time with wounded warriors.

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PHOTO CREDIT: NASCAR MEDIA

NASCAR Driver Joey Logano To Partake In Man v. Food Nation Challenge
Episode Airs Wednesday, Oct. 19 At 9 P.M. ET/PT On Travel Channel

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Aug. 11, 2011) — Giving a whole new meaning to “pulling double duty,” NASCAR driver Joey Logano will recover from 220.5 grueling miles of road course racing at Watkins Glen International on Sunday (ESPN, 1 p.m. ET) by taking a food challenge on Monday in New York for an upcoming episode of Travel Channel’s Man v. Food Nation.

Logano, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, is looking forward to meeting host Adam Richman and partaking in the food challenge. Richman, who has crisscrossed the country taking on various food challenges the last three years, will serve as the Grand Marshal for Sunday’s Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen and will be cheering Logano on throughout Monday’s shoot.

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