U.S. Air National Guard Major Dan Rooney, whose non-profit organization Folds of Honor was co-title sponsor of yesterday's Sprint Cup Series race in Atlanta, said that shortly after the Fox broadcast began, the organization's merchandise website "crashed after receiving heavy traffic," according to Eric Bailey of the TULSA WORLD. The non-profit also "began getting pledges to help fund scholarships for family of killed or disabled military members actively serving." Rooney said, "We get notifications of all donations and they are coming in every five seconds. They are pouring in from around the country. The reality is that we’ve planted a lot of seeds in NASCAR nation and I have no doubt that those are going to do anything but grow as we share the mission and the stories of those lives that we’re helping" (TULSA WORLD, 3/2). Bailey prior to the race wrote the NASCAR fan base "is a perfect target for the Folds of Honor, which provides educational scholarships for families of killed or disabled military members while on active duty." Rooney: "Ultimately, it fits our demographic. Just the patriotic nature of NASCAR, the fanaticism and to get to create what I hope to be is the most patriotic race in NASCAR history" (TULSA WORLD, 2/28).
BRINGING THEM INTO THE FOLD: In Atlanta, Steve Hummer noted through the years at Atlanta Motor Speedway, "there have been 17 other sponsors of Cup races in Atlanta" on top of Folds of Honor/QuikTrip. But not until a new three-year deal with QuikTrip in which it "donated the title sponsorship to Folds of Honor has this race gone so altruistic." The deal gave off a "different feel to all the hubbub around race weekend." Fans yesterday were set to be "handed a replica folded flag," which they were asked to display while standing during the 13th lap to "honor those who died in service." There are 13 folds in the flag "handed to the next of kin during a military funeral." Rooney said of sponsoring the race, "It’s certainly the biggest exposure we ever had, we have nothing to compare to it. I don’t know what the reach is -- several million households? First time ever on live television. And we have the opportunity to tell this story to a whole new group of people, a really patriotic group." Hummer noted defending Sprint Cup champion Kevin Harvick "has been active in building a relationship between Folds of Honor and various sponsors of his race team, including Budweiser, Jimmy John’s and Outback" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 3/1).
