Navy Opens Dale Jr. Division

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In an unprecedented event, the United States Navy announced  last week the creation of an 88-person field for their “Dale Jr. Division.” The division will be incorporated into the Navy’s recruit training Boot Camp, with Sailors-to-be able to begin applying for inaugural class as early as May 24th at their local Naval recruiting station.

The Dale Jr. division will be begin in August at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois and will be visited by Earnhardt himself after the recruits’ initial processing, and again upon completion of their training. Brad Keselowski, driver of the no. 88 Navy Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series, will also visit the division and take part in various aspects of the training, to include marching, damage control, and physical training.

“This is the first time we’ve developed a National level recruiting program focused on the synergy of the Navy and a high-performing, non-military partner,” stated Capt Jack Hanzlik, Chief of Naval Personnel, Public Affairs Officer.

The 88-person division is open to all enlisted men and women, and available for any of the Naval career fields. Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive the no. 83 Navy Chevrolet for JR Motorsports to kick off the division on May 24th in the Nationwide race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

In Other News:
- Kevin Harvick has recently implemented a rigorous drug-testing policy within Kevin Harvick Inc. “in the absence of any solid drug testing by NASCAR.” Harvick has already put tests in place for all of his drivers and crew chiefs in the Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series, and has hired an independent drug testing company to test the rest of the employees within the company.

- When asked about the future surrounding Tony Stewart with Joe Gibbs Racing, Coach Joe Gibbs stated that Tony has not approached anyone at JGR about an early release from his contract, and that Stewart will continue to drive for the organization at a minimum through 2009. In response to whether or not there would be any potential ownership options for Smoke at JGR, Gibbs stated, “I think our deal is kind of set the way it is. I think there’s some stuff we could do to get him started with his own team if that’s what he really wanted. I think there might be some possibilities there. It could be a number of things, and again, it’s kind of new to us.”