September 11, 2009
By Rebecca Gladden
This Friday is a big night for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, but a bigger night for the nation, as we collectively observe the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America.
When NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Benny Gordon and his marketing manager realized the pairing of the two events, they came up with an inspired idea; to run a 9/11 memorial paint scheme on 9/11 and honor the victims and survivors of the attacks, while raising awareness for a 9/11 Memorial and Museum currently under construction at the World Trade Center site.
"Having already visited Ground Zero for a day and touring the Memorial, I was excited for the opportunity," said Benny. "We had a few meetings in New York City at Ground Zero and ideas started to come into place. The whole Memorial and Museum staff have been great to work with. There is a ton of passion and belief in what they are building."
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Photo: Amy Dreher of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum
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The special design for Benny's racecar features a patriotic color scheme on a black and light blue background with the words "9/11 Memorial" and "Always Remember" on it. Benny told me he has two goals for the car, which is scheduled to run in Friday's Nationwide Series race at Richmond: Always Remember and Awareness. "We want to help raise awareness about the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and to always remember and honor the nearly 3000 people who died in the horrific attacks of February 26, 1993, and September 11, 2001."
The Memorial itself will consist of two massive pools set within the footprints of the Twin Towers with the largest manmade waterfalls in the country cascading down their sides. The names of the individuals who were killed in the attacks will be inscribed around the edges of the Memorial pools and a Memorial Plaza filled with nearly 400 trees will help separate the area from the sights and sounds of the city.
One concern for Benny and the No. 72 Nationwide team is the fact that they have to qualify in to the Richmond race. Gordon is running a part-time schedule this season, competing in five races so far with a best finish of 12th in Iowa. "There are concerns of qualifying," Benny admitted. "Anything can happen to keep a car not locked into the points out of the race. Right now our goals are set high and we have a lot of confidence coming into Richmond. We qualified 14th out of 50 cars in the first race at Richmond and feel like we have greatly improved since then. I don't believe speed will be the issue, but if something other than that would happen it would be very disappointing."
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Photo: Amy Dreher of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum
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The 9/11 Memorial Car has already garnered plenty of attention for the cause. During an exciting and emotional ceremony on August 31 near Ground Zero, at the 9/11 Memorial Preview site, Benny unveiled the car and the special paint scheme in front of a large crowd. Among those in attendance were members of the New York Fire and Police Departments and other Trade Center responders who signed the underside of the hood.
"I want to thank all my sponsors for giving up their spots on our car to allow us to run the special 9/11 paint scheme, and NASCAR for their cooperation with the memorial car throughout the early meetings and the unveiling in New York City," said Benny. "NASCAR fans are the most loyal and patriotic of all sports fans."
Benny is also appreciative of the people and companies who've supported his racing efforts, including Frank Verichetti of VSI and primary sponsor Samuel Metals, a family-owned business that is among North America's top- ten processors and distributors of metals.
"To run a competitive season in the Nationwide Series can be very expensive to team owners, but very beneficial for sponsors," Benny explains. "But the exposure of live television and tens of thousands of fans in attendance makes it beneficial to advertise with a NASCAR team. We are currently planning a full season for 2010 and our current sponsors are excited for next year, but we are in search of a few more companies to share the exposure of a full-time NASCAR team."
Fans of Benny and the 9/11 car can catch both in action on Friday 9/11 at 8 PM EST from Richmond, VA.
Note:
Donations for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center can be made at www.national911memorial.org.
Benny Gordon's website is www.BennyGordon.us.
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