DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – From a press conference held outside his Daytona Beach condominium, NASCAR CEO Brian France announced today that the entire Daytona Beach Police Department will serve as NASCAR’s own private security force. The new force will be formally known as the “Official Security Attachment For Racing” or OSAFR, (pronounced ‘oss-a-fer’). OSAFR will begin its official association with NASCAR at the onset this year’s Daytona 500.
“This is a complete surprise, not to mention an honor, for us,” said Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood. “There were no negotiations, no rumors, no plans, absolutely nothing that we, as a department, were aware of to prepare us for such an honor. As far as I know, no one from my department has had any contact with Mr. France since we investigated a report of a spilled soft drink in his Lexus a few months back.”
“Last November, due to insurance reasons, I had to file a report with the DBPD when a soft drink was spilled on the fine Italian leather inside my Lexus,” said France. “The officers who responded were some of the greatest and most professional police officers I have ever paid… I mean, dealt with. These are the types of guys I want protecting me and my interests.”
While OSAFR’s duties will include all aspects of NASCAR and ISC security, those duties will not begin until after the Daytona 500.
“All this week, the entire force and their families will be my personal guests here at the Speedway,” said France.
Immediately after the announcement that the entire DBPD was to become Mr. France’s private security force, some Daytona Beach residents voiced concerns that their city would be left unprotected. Chief Chitwood addressed those concerns.
“I want the residents of this fine city to know that Mr. France has generously agreed to finance the hiring of qualified individuals to patrol the streets of Daytona Beach in our absence,” said Chitwood. “These fine, temporary officers will be trained and led by two legendary lawmen, Jim Dangle and James Garcia. I am confident that the city will be in fine hands.”
Officers Dangle and Garcia are on loan to the city of Daytona Beach from the city of Reno, Nev. for a “as yet to be determined” amount of time.
When asked about NASCAR’s cost of funding an entire replacement force for the city in addition to its new private force, France indicated that the new monies sought for the sponsorship of the “Busch” Series in 2008, along with a slight increase of ticket prices, will more than cover it…
NASCAR/Goodyear PR – Over 75 million fans and countless scrap-metal dealers breathed a collective sigh of relief when it was recently announced that NASCAR and Goodyear have reached an agreement that will keep Goodyear as the “Exclusive Tire Supplier” for all three of NASCAR’s top series through 2012.
“This extension of the more than 50-year relationship of two American icons is one that we are extremely proud to announce,” said Jon Rich, president of Goodyear’s North American Tire business. “Nothing says racing like NASCAR, and Goodyear has been recognized as the longest-running sponsor of the sport. We plan to have our Beagle tires in the winner’s circle for another 50 years.”
“Our longtime relationship with Goodyear is a testament to the company’s consistent high-quantity tire it supplies the race teams,” said NASCAR president Mike Helton. “Goodyear has been a vital partner, which has been essential to NASCAR’s side-by-side competition.”
While Goodyear statistics claim 1,410 Cup level wins (and counting) on Goodyear tires, a spokesman for The United Scrap Metal Workers Union said that the number of jobs in the scrap-metal industry that have been saved by Goodyear tires, especially racing tires, is incalculable.
BSNews! Your first thought is our first name!
Stay off the wall (by running Hoosiers),
Jeff Meyer
The Frontstretch Staff is made up of a group of talented men and women spread out all over the United States and Canada. Residing in 15 states throughout the country, plus Ontario, and widely ranging in age, the staff showcases a wide variety of diverse opinions that will keep you coming back for more week in and week out.