[coverattach=1]Swearingen joins Hernandez on the National Guard ADRL team
O'FALLON, Mo. (February 12, 2009) - Officials from both the National Guard and the American Drag Racing League took part in the formal unveiling of the two-car 2009 National Guard ADRL drag racing team with drivers Joshua Hernandez and 2006 ADRL Rookie of the Year Travis Swearingen at ADRL headquarters in O'Fallon.
Joining Hernandez, the five-time ADRL national event winner and his red '57 Chevy on the National Guard team for 2009 is the 26-year-old Swearingen, whose '41 Willys has been a mainstay of National Guard ADRL Pro Extreme competition.
"We're extremely excited to have an up-and-comer like Travis joining Josh in proudly displaying the National Guard colors for 2009," said SFC John Metzler, program manager Army National Guard Bureau Recruiting and Retention Command. "We truly believe it is the ideal compliment to our new title sponsorship of the ADRL."
For Swearingen's family owned and operated team, Swearingen securing the National Guard sponsorship has been a dream come true.
"This is huge for us," said Swearingen. "We're a family operation. It's all in house. To be considered for the National Guard sponsorship is a true honor."
In 2008, Swearingen scored his first National Guard ADRL event victory at the Shelor Motor Mile Independence Drags II at the Motor Mile Dragway in Radford (VA).
"It will be especially satisfying to add to that total as a representative of the men and women of the Guard," said Swearingen. "And I look forward to meeting all of the members of my new team – the National Guard ADRL team."
Both men already have an established, but friendly, on-track rivalry and Hernandez believes that it will make the sight of both National Guard cars in the Pro Extreme final that much more exciting.
"Team red versus team blue, now that's something everyone should start getting used to," said teammate Hernandez.
"That's what I call the path to victory for the National Guard," added Hernandez, echoing the Guard's motto of offering each of its members a pathway to their goals in life.
The 2009 edition of the National Guard ADRL race team will make its debut at the season-opening Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V at Houston Raceway Park on March 6-7.
About the National Guard
The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation’s longest enduring institutions. The National Guard operates in all 50 states, three territories (Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands) and the District of Columbia. The National Guard maintains an overall motorsports presence with sponsorships in the ADRL, NASCAR, IRL and AMA Superbike series.
About the National Guard ADRL
Based in O’Fallon, Missouri, the National Guard American Drag Racing League is the nation’s premier sanctioning body for the sport of eighth-mile drag racing. The five categories featured in the National Guard ADRL's all-professional show are Extreme Pro Stock, Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Extreme 10.5, Pro Nitrous and Pro Extreme, the quickest full-bodied class in all of drag racing. The 2009 National Guard ADRL tour schedule consists of 10 national events run throughout the United States.
O'FALLON, Mo. (February 12, 2009) - Officials from both the National Guard and the American Drag Racing League took part in the formal unveiling of the two-car 2009 National Guard ADRL drag racing team with drivers Joshua Hernandez and 2006 ADRL Rookie of the Year Travis Swearingen at ADRL headquarters in O'Fallon.
Joining Hernandez, the five-time ADRL national event winner and his red '57 Chevy on the National Guard team for 2009 is the 26-year-old Swearingen, whose '41 Willys has been a mainstay of National Guard ADRL Pro Extreme competition.
"We're extremely excited to have an up-and-comer like Travis joining Josh in proudly displaying the National Guard colors for 2009," said SFC John Metzler, program manager Army National Guard Bureau Recruiting and Retention Command. "We truly believe it is the ideal compliment to our new title sponsorship of the ADRL."
For Swearingen's family owned and operated team, Swearingen securing the National Guard sponsorship has been a dream come true.
"This is huge for us," said Swearingen. "We're a family operation. It's all in house. To be considered for the National Guard sponsorship is a true honor."
In 2008, Swearingen scored his first National Guard ADRL event victory at the Shelor Motor Mile Independence Drags II at the Motor Mile Dragway in Radford (VA).
"It will be especially satisfying to add to that total as a representative of the men and women of the Guard," said Swearingen. "And I look forward to meeting all of the members of my new team – the National Guard ADRL team."
Both men already have an established, but friendly, on-track rivalry and Hernandez believes that it will make the sight of both National Guard cars in the Pro Extreme final that much more exciting.
"Team red versus team blue, now that's something everyone should start getting used to," said teammate Hernandez.
"That's what I call the path to victory for the National Guard," added Hernandez, echoing the Guard's motto of offering each of its members a pathway to their goals in life.
The 2009 edition of the National Guard ADRL race team will make its debut at the season-opening Safety-Kleen Dragpalooza V at Houston Raceway Park on March 6-7.
About the National Guard
The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation’s longest enduring institutions. The National Guard operates in all 50 states, three territories (Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands) and the District of Columbia. The National Guard maintains an overall motorsports presence with sponsorships in the ADRL, NASCAR, IRL and AMA Superbike series.
About the National Guard ADRL
Based in O’Fallon, Missouri, the National Guard American Drag Racing League is the nation’s premier sanctioning body for the sport of eighth-mile drag racing. The five categories featured in the National Guard ADRL's all-professional show are Extreme Pro Stock, Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Extreme 10.5, Pro Nitrous and Pro Extreme, the quickest full-bodied class in all of drag racing. The 2009 National Guard ADRL tour schedule consists of 10 national events run throughout the United States.
