Dover AFB

A fan receives an autograph from A.J. Allmendinger (middle), the No. 43 car driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, at the NASCAR Social Sept. 30, 2011, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Bobby Labonte (right), the No. 47 car driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, and David Ragan, the No. 6 car driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, also signed autographs. The social featured a live band, food, a miniature racecar track, children’s entertainment and more. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor)

Dignified Transfer at Dover AFB

Col. Mark Camerer (left), commander of the 436th Airlift Wing, Col. Randal Bright, commander of the 512th Airlift Wing, and Chief Master Sgt. James Lucas, command chief master sergeant of the 436th, wave to the crowd during the pre-race ceremonies at Dover Downs Oct. 2, 2011. The military had a visible presence at NASCAR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor)

U.S. Air Force at OneMain Financial 200

Explosive ordnance disposal members from the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron show race fans Rosie, a robot used to help EOD members dispose of unexploded ordnance Oct. 1, 2011, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. Team Dover members participated in events throughout the weekend. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik)

U.S. Air Force at OneMain Financial 200

Lt. Col. Ricardo Trimillos, commander of the 314th Recruiting Squadron, administers the oath of enlistment to Delayed Entry Program recruits during pre-race festivities Oct. 1, 2011, at the OneMain Financial 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik)

U.S. Air Force at OneMain Financial 200

Senior Airman Naomi Scott, 436th Maintenance Squadron, sings the national anthem as a C-17 Globemaster III from Dover Air Force Base, Del., flies overhead Oct. 1, 2011, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. Maj. Timothy Hirten, a chaplain with the 436th Airlift Wing, and the Base Honor Guard pay respect to the Colors prior to the OneMain Financial 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik)

Military members make their mark on the Monster Mile

Published Oct. 4, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Jacob Morgan
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- It was a long and dreary weekend brightened by the stars of NASCAR. Cold rain pelted tents outside while Team Dover members were inside The Landings Club getting various items signed by famous drivers. The weekend, known as NASCAR weekend to the local community, was three days of action-packed festivities highlighting military and community bonds.

From flyovers to parade laps, Team Dover left its mark at the 'Monster Mile.'
The weekend featured the bi-annual NASCAR social, the OneMain Financial 200 and the AAA 400.

Sept. 30 featured a free NASCAR social at The Landings Club. The event had a live band, a micro-racing track, children's entertainment and Sprint Cup drivers, including A.J. Allmendinger, No. 43 car driver, David Ragan, No. 6 car driver, and Bobby Labonte, No. 47 car driver, who were all signing autographs.

According to Labonte, visiting Dover AFB has more significance than his typical charity event. He grew up next to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, where his father worked. He also has done several events with the Air Force, including flying with the Thunderbirds and taking tours at Dover AFB.

"It's a good thing for [the drivers] to show our appreciation to the people who keep us safe and free to do what we do," said Labonte.

Team Dover's involvement in NASCAR was not limited to the base; it also set up shop at the Fan Zone, which featured static displays, demonstrations and exhibits of military technology from various military branches and units.

Saturday's festivities included a C-17 Globemaster III flyover and an invocation by Chap. (Maj.) Timothy Hirten, a chaplain with the 436th Airlift Wing.

Sunday's race featured Allmendinger's No. 43 car, which is co-sponsored by the U.S. Air Force. The No. 43 car dropped out of the race in May due to engine trouble. However, this race Allmendinger started in seventh and dropped to the end of the field when he was spun out by another driver, but by the end of the race, he regained more than 30 positions to finish where he started - in seventh.

Throughout the weekend, the connection between the local community, Dover AFB, and the NASCAR drivers continued to grow. The tradition of Team Dover's hard work for the events during NASCAR weekend remains strong.

"If there is one word I think of when I meet [service members], I think of dedication," said Labonte.