CSX doubles up for Brickyard 400
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
The Sunday, July 26, 2015 Brickyard 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will have not one, but two CSX-primary-sponsored Front Row Motorsports Ford Fusions running: The familiar blue and gold “Play It Safe Around Railroad Tracks” No. 34, driven by 22-year-old Brett Moffitt, and the new “FFA (Future Farmers of America) + CSX Living to Serve” No. 38, with David Gilliland at the wheel.
“Brett Moffitt’s Play It Safe Ford continues CSX’s ongoing partnership with Front Row Motorsports and NASCAR to emphasize the importance of safety around railroad tracks, through car sponsorship, guest and employee events and social media messages,” said CSX Vice President Corporate Communications Gary Sease. “CSX urges drivers and pedestrians to follow safety tips around railroad tracks, including looking both ways at railroad crossings—trains can come from either direction; never race a train—it can take a train more than a mile to come to a stop; never walk on tracks and avoid wearing headphones around railroad property; never drive around lowered gates; and always expect a train.”
“Sunday at the Brickyard, we’re going to try to pass as many cars as we can. But I think differently when it comes to driving near railroad tracks—you should always brake for trains,” said Moffitt, who took over the No. 34 Play It Safe Ford earlier this season. “NASCAR puts a lot of complicated work into keeping drivers safe in their cars, but we know it only takes some simple rules to stay safe around railroad tracks, like never wear headphones around them. Save those for the racetrack. This is going to be a big weekend with our partner CSX. We’ve got their paint scheme on the car for the race weekend, and we’re going to have a special visit with the employees at a CSX rail yard while we’re in town. We’re also hosting a pretty big group of FFA members at the race on Sunday, so we’re really looking forward to the whole weekend.”
In addition, CSX and the National FFA Organization “will make history,” said Sease, as the No. 38 FFA + CSX Living to Serve Ford becomes the first car to represent the 87-year-old agricultural education and youth service organization as a primary sponsor in a NASCAR race. The Sprint Cup Series racecar, driven by Moffitt’s Front Row teammate David Gilliland, will feature a blue, gold and white paint scheme with the FFA emblem on the hood.
“We have a special partner at Indy,” said Gilliland. “The FFA is going to be on our No. 38 Ford Fusion. It’s the first time in their 87-year history that they’ll be on a race car, so we’re really proud to be the ones to have them. They’re based locally in Indianapolis, so we’re going to have a bunch of the students at the track, honoring them for their service. It’s going to be a really special weekend.”
“Joining together at the Brickyard 400 is a great way to celebrate our partnership with CSX and continue our focus on “living to serve” in the community, especially by sharing the important message of safety first,” said National FFA Foundation President Molly Ball.
“We’re excited to celebrate this event with FFA, a critical partner in connecting CSX to the important agriculture market we serve and helping us give back in our local communities,” said CSX Resident Vice President, State and Government Affairs David Hall. “With more than 610,000 student members, FFA will be helpful advocates to promote the importance of using caution around railroad tracks to a teen audience, one of the most vulnerable age groups for rail-related incidents.”
Outside of the race, CSX and FFA have an ongoing “Living to Serve” partnership, focused on community service and leadership development. CSX is one of six Platinum Sponsors for the National FFA Foundation, having contributed more than $1 million annually since 2011.
More information about CSX’s national partners and safety messages can be found online at www.beyondourrails.org or by following #localmotive, an ongoing conversation about CSX’s presence in the communities it serves through volunteerism, job creation and moving the goods that are essential for the economy.
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission “is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.” The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and “is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs.” Visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees comprised of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82% of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. Visit FFA.org/Give.
