Air Force at Pocono 500

Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, administers the Delayed Enlistment Program oath of enlistment to 40 young men and women of the 318th Recruiting Squadron. The ceremony took place before the start of the Pocono 500 race in Pennsylvania June 8. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Dale Eckroth)

Air Force at Pocono 500

From left, Delayed Enlistment Program members Matt Varga, of Phillipsburg, N.J.; Kelly Kunsman, of Hellertown, Penn., and Matt Geitz, of Bethlehem, Penn., pause for a photo while enjoying their day at the Pocono 500 race June 8 in Pennsylvania. The three young adults publicly recited the oath of enlistment prior to the start of the race along with 37 fellow DEP members of the 318th Recruiting Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Dale Eckroth)

NASCAR, Air Force winning combination at Pocono 500

Published June 10, 2008
By Dale Eckroth
AFRS Strategic Communications Division

LONG POND, Penn. -- The weather wasn't the only thing heating up northeastern Pennsylvania Sunday. The nation's top NASCAR drivers burned up the track at the Pocono 500. More than 100,000 race fans filled the stands to watch the Sprint Cup Series competition at the Pocono Raceway.

As the race's guest of honor, Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, waved the green flag kicking the 200-lap 43-car race into high gear.

"What an honor and thrill it is to be here today," said the general. "It's very uplifting to see the huge support of our military from racing fans. NASCAR is the largest spectator sport in America and this is the perfect opportunity to share the Air Force public awareness message."

Helping to promote that message was the No. 21 Air Force car driven by Bill Elliott of the Wood Brothers Racing Team. Mike Smith, team crew chief echoed the general's sentiments.

"It's exciting to be a part of the Air Force team. Everything we do influences people," he said. "Young kids look up to us."

As crew chief, Smith oversees all aspects of the No. 21 car, from building the engine to transporting it to the next race.

The Pennsylvania Air National Guard's Band of the Mid-Atlantic provided patriotic entertainment during pre-race activities, and a B-52 flyover from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., thrilled the crowd just minutes before the start of the race.

Despite the 95 degree heat and several caution flags forcing the race to go longer than usual, fans hung in there to see Elliott finish 31st. Kasey Kahne, driving the No. 9 car took the checkered flag winning the 2008 Pocono 500 title.

Following the traditional winner's champagne celebration and instant TV interviews, Kahne quickly paced to center stage overlooking the winner's circle and the horde of national media. With his racing team gathered around him, Kahne accepted the winner's trophy and congratulations from General Carlson and the Air Force.

It was a winning combination and a fitting end to an exciting NASCAR race.