Civil Air Patrol sheds it's wings and lays down rubber to promote it's missions

Driver/Owner Ashton Lewis Jr. with the #46 CAP Monte Carlo

 
CONCORD, NC, January 15, 2002 — The Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the auxiliary of the United States Air Force, today announced a multi-year agreement as the primary sponsor of the NASCAR Busch Series No. 46 Lewis Motorsports Chevrolet.

By signing on as primary sponsor, CAP hopes to increase awareness of their three primary missions: Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education, and Emergency Services.

"The NASCAR Busch Series offers the Civil Air Patrol an affordable and effective marketing platform that will provide the vehicle to inform and educate the general public about CAP," said CAP National Commander, Brigadier General Richard Bowling.

"The enormous reach of the sport will enable us to introduce our 60 year old organization to millions of people over a short period of time." Bowling continued, "This will provide the impetus necessary to effectively augment and advance CAP missions."

The Civil Air Patrol found a perfect fit with driver Ashton Lewis, Jr., and the family owned team of Lewis Motorsports.

The No. 46 Civil Air Patrol Chevrolet will make its debut run on February 16, 2002 in the Daytona 300 at the Daytona International Speedway.

The Civil Air Patrol was founded in December 1941, one week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, by over 150,000 citizens concerned about the defense of America's coastline. Flying under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Forces, CAP pilots flew over one-half million hours, were credited with sinking two enemy submarines, and rescued hundreds of crash survivors during World War II. Only July 1, 1946, President Truman established CAP as a federally chartered benevolent civilian corporation. Congress passed Public Law 557 on May 26, 1948, which made CAP the auxiliary of the new United States Air Force. CAP was charged with three primary missions: Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education, and Emergency Services.

In September of 1999, Lewis Motorsports began as a venture between a father, Ashton Lewis, Sr., and his two sons, Ashton Lewis, Jr. and Charlie Lewis. Lewis Motorsports made their debut in 2000 by running a limited NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division schedule. In 2001, Lewis Motorsports ran a full NASCAR Busch Series schedule in an effort to gain valuable seat time for driver Ashton Lewis, Jr. and a young and eager crew -posting eight top-10 qualifying efforts(sixth at Rockingham, fifth at Las Vegas, eighth at Atlanta, sixth at Nashville, ninth at Pikes Peak, 10th at Kentucky, 10th at Kansas and 10th at Lowe's), two top-five finishes (Kentucky and Lowe's), three top-10, seven top-15 finishes and 14 top-20 finishes.
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Story by Charlotte Crowe
Chief, Public Relations
National Headquarters, Civil Air Patrol
334.953.5320
334.953.4245 fax
ccrowe@capnhq.gov

Picture reprinted with permission from Jayski LLC.