ARLINGTON, Va., - NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon unveiled a special No. 24 DuPont/National Guard Special Forces Chevrolet paint scheme for this weekend's race at Texas Motor Speedway to Special Forces Soldiers with the Texas Army National Guard on Thursday.
"After learning what these specially trained Soldiers do for our country and how they successfully adapt to current combat situations, I was amazed and also proud to know we have men and women like that fighting for our country's freedom," Gordon said.
"The DuPont/National Guard team is excited to recognize Special Forces on our car this weekend, and I look forward to giving them the recognition they deserve for the sacrifices they make on a daily basis to keep our country safe."
Gordon was at the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) facility in Maxwell, Texas to train with the Soldiers.
"I'm excited and privileged to have the opportunity to train with the Texas Army National Guard Special Forces Soldiers this week before going to the racetrack," Gordon said. "It'll be interesting to go through what they go through, and I know I'll have an even better appreciation for what Special Forces Soldiers do for our country."
Despite rainy conditions, Gordon flew in a Black Hawk helicopter, participated in mission planning, familiarized himself with sniper systems, pistol and rifle guns at shooting ranges and learned what it takes to be a Special Forces Soldier while in close quarters combat.
"I've been told that the training to become a Special Forces Soldier is intense, and that they are put to the test both physically and mentally," Gordon said. "Only the best of the best are selected in the end."
Last year, Gordon was the best at Texas Motor Speedway with the No. 24 DuPont/National Guard Chevrolet. The performance ended Gordon's 47-race winless streak, the longest of his career, and marked the 82nd Cup win for Gordon, who ranks sixth on the all-time winner's list. He needs one victory to catch fifth-place Cale Yarborough.
"The win last year definitely has given us some confidence when we go to Texas," Gordon said. "I feel like we're a little bit closer to knowing what we need to go faster there. We've certainly had the car dialed in for qualifying there lately, and that's big at Texas. That definitely gives you a much better chance to win. So I look forward to that."
In 18 Sprint Cup Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway, Gordon has posted one win, seven top-five finishes and nine top-10s. Gordon, who also has earned two pole positions, averages a start of 9.4 and has led 457 laps at the 1.5-mile oval.
"It's still same old Texas for us. It's a tough place. But we know we can win there, and if our cars keep driving the way that they've been driving this year, especially at the bigger tracks, then I think we have a shot at winning there again."
Gordon is ranked fifth in the driver standings going into Sunday's event at Texas. After seven races this season, Gordon has scored three top-five finishes, three top-10s and led 327 laps.
For the second year in a row, Gordon and the No. 24 team will be sponsored by the National Guard for eight Sprint Cup Series events. The first National Guard-sponsored race was at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March. In addition to this weekend at Texas, Gordon will partner with the National Guard at six other venues: Darlington (S.C.) Raceway on May 8, Michigan International Speedway on June 13, Richmond (Va.) International Raceway on Sept. 11, New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 19, Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on Oct. 24, and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Oct. 31.
Gordon's teammate, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., will also race at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend.
The track has been lucky for him. Earnhardt was just seven races into his rookie season when he recorded his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win on April 2, 2000.
Earnhardt, who was 25 at the time, started the race fourth and led 106 laps on his way to Victory Lane. He also recorded his first career win in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at the 1.5-mile oval on April 4, 1998.
In 15 Sprint Cup Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway, Earnhardt has scored one win, two pole positions, three top-five finishes and seven top-10s. He has an average starting position of 9.1 and has led at least one lap in 11 of those starts for a total of 400 laps.