Welcome to the News and Media section of Lionel NASCAR Collectables. Check back here for the latest LNC news and press coverage. For media inquiries, please e-mail Michelle Fannin at mfannin@lionelnascar.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IF RICKY STENHOUSE JR. OR TREVOR BAYNE WINS THE DAYTONA 500, ONE NASCAR FAN WINS $100,000!
$100,000 Giveaway Kicks Off New Partnership for Lionel NASCAR Collectables, Stenhouse and Bayne DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 21, 2012) – When the green flag drops at the Daytona 500, more than bragging rights will be on the line for drivers Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Trevor Bayne.
If either Stenhouse or Bayne wins The Great American Race, Lionel NASCAR Collectables (LNC) – The Official Die-Cast of NASCAR – and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA) will give $100,000 to a lucky fan as part of the company’s “Ultimate Ricky vs. Trevor: Duel at Daytona” contest.
Bayne and Stenhouse announced the contest tonight on Performance Racing Network’s “Up to Speed” broadcast where they also announced they will be brand ambassadors for LNC and RCCA in 2012.
“We’re thrilled that Ricky and Trevor have partnered with us this year to be brand ambassadors for Lionel NASCAR Collectables and RCCA – our popular die-cast collectors club,” said LNC Vice President Howard Hitchcock. “And we couldn’t think of a better way to kick off our partnership with these two incredible drivers than by giving fans a shot at a huge payday.”
"I am excited about the ‘Ultimate Ricky vs. Trevor: Duel at Daytona’ challenge that LNC and RCCA put together for the Daytona 500. It would be amazing to not only win my first Daytona 500, but also win a $100,000 for a lucky fan,” said Stenhouse. “I am honored to be Lionel and RCCA's brand ambassador and looking forward to a great partnership with them."
Bayne, the 2011 Daytona 500 winner, is also excited about the contest.
"I am honored to be a part of this great fan promotion with RCCA and Lionel NASCAR Collectables," said Bayne. "I truly believe these types of programs are designed for the true fans that drive our sport. I would love nothing more than to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with a lucky fan."
To enter the “Ultimate Ricky vs. Trevor: Duel at Daytona,” fans can log on to www.duelatdaytona.com.
LNC and RCCA will also be bringing a surprise special guest to the pre-Daytona 500 Tweetup at 9 a.m., Sunday, February 26.
About Lionel NASCAR® Collectables
The official die-cast of NASCAR, Lionel NASCAR® Collectables is the leader in the design, promotion, marketing and distribution of licensed die-cast race cars. A joint venture with the NASCAR® Team Properties and Lionel Electric Trains, LNC makes and sells replica die-cast race cars through a variety of channels, including Corporate, National Accounts, trackside, online, a network of specialty dealers and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA). Made up of a group of experienced merchants, artists, sales people and support staff, LNC has its pulse on the racing community and is committed to giving fans the very best in die-cast collectable cars. LNC is based in Concord, NC. For more information about Lionel NASCAR® Collectables, please visit the Web site at www.lionelnascarcollectables.com. Follow Lionel NASCAR® Collectables on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lionelnascar and Twitter @LionelNASCAR. MEDIA INFORMATION:
Michelle Fannin
Lionel NASCAR Collectables Marketing and Social Media
704.453.1834
mfannin@lionelnascar.com
For Immediate Release
LIONEL NASCAR COLLECTABLES UNVEILS THE TOP 10 DIE-CAST CARS OF 2011
Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick claim top two spots, but a surprise newcomer comes in a close third.
CONCORD, NC. (December 12, 2011) – Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 AARP/Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet and Kevin Harvick’s No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet were the best-selling 1:24 scale die-cast cars of 2011, according to a top 10 list released today by Lionel NASCAR Collectables.
However in a surprise showing, Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne clinched the third sport as his No. 21 Motorcraft Daytona 500 Win Ford made the cut.
“The interesting thing about our top 10 list is that it proves how much NASCAR fans love a good story,” said Howard Hitchcock, Vice President of Lionel NASCAR Collectables.
“Trevor Bayne driving the Wood Brothers to Victory Lane at the Daytona 500 is one of the most compelling stories in the history of the sport,” he continued. “And while we realized Trevor’s win was beyond big, our team had little idea just how popular the die-cast would be.”
While Gordon’s AARP Chevy was the best-selling die-cast car, Dale Earnhardt Jr. tops the list as the driver garnering the most die-cast sales in 2011. Earnhardt cars claimed spots four, seven and nine.
“There’s no denying that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is still the sport’s most popular driver from a merchandise perspective,” Hitchcock said. “Our sales clearly reflect that and there is consistently strong demand for any Dale Jr. car.”
Another Earnhardt also made the list of heavy hitters. Dale Earnhardt’s No. 96 Cardinal Tractor Ford was introduced in July as the first release in the company’s NASCAR Classics line – a series of historical die-cast which have never before been made. The result? Collectors loved the No. 96 car so much; it shot to the sixth spot on the list of 2011 best-sellers.
The Top 10 Die-Cast Cars of 2011 are listed below. For images and a slideshow detailing the story behind each car, please visit www.lionelnascar.com/top10.
- Jeff Gordon No. 24 AARP/Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet
- Kevin Harvick No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet
- Trevor Bayne No. 21 Motorcraft Daytona Win Ford
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 Amp Energy Chevrolet
- Tony Stewart No. 14 Mobil 1 Chevrolet
- Dale Earnhardt No. 96 Cardinal Tractor Ford
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 National Guard Heritage Chevrolet
- Tony Stewart No. 14 Office Depot Chevrolet
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 Dale Jr. Foundation/Vh1 Save the Music Chevrolet
- Kevin Harvick No. 29 Budweiser Military Tribute Chevrolet
Previous Press Release - September 9, 2011
LIONEL NASCAR COLLECTABLES DONATES $125 THOUSAND TO THE STEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION
The donation is the first installment of the proceeds from the Honoring Our Heroes die-cast program and will go toward the construction of a “smart home” for wounded United States Marine Todd Nicely.
RICHMOND, VA. (SEPTEMBER 9, 2011) – Today at Richmond International Raceway, NASCAR drivers David Gilliland, Danica Patrick, Greg Biffle, Trevor Bayne and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. joined Howard Hitchcock, Vice President of Lionel NASCAR® Collectables (LNC), to present a $125 thousand check to Mary Siller Scullin, Vice Chairman of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and sister of fallen FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller.
Scullin was joined by U.S. Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco and U.S.M.C. Corporal Todd Nicely. Marrocco and Nicely are the first two Americans to survive the loss of both arms and both legs in combat. The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation has earmarked this donation to be used for the construction of a customized “smart home” for Nicely. The construction of Marrocco’s smart home was finished in June.
“It’s not every day that you get to do something so important for America’s finest heroes on an anniversary that’s so meaningful to our country,” said Hitchcock. “I’m proud of our team – we worked extremely hard to put the Honoring Our Heroes program together and we hope this donation and the funds that follow it will go a long way toward finishing Todd’s new home.”
The check is the first installment of the proceeds from LNC’s “Honoring Our Heroes” die-cast program. A total of eight drivers will run special “Honoring Our Heroes” cars at Richmond this weekend. Each car takes the track in honor of those who lost their lives in the attacks of September 11, 2001 and also our nation’s military heroes. This donation also includes proceeds from die-cast sales of John Force’s Castrol GTX High Mileage/Honoring Our Heroes Ford Mustang Funny Car which will race at Charlotte’s zMAX Dragway on Sept. 16-18.
“When we first talked to Lionel NASCAR about the possibility of drivers racing with our Foundation’s name on their cars, we had no idea it would be this big,” said Scullin. “Today, as I see these drivers and all these cars I am overwhelmed with emotion. On September 11, 2001, my brother Stephen sacrificed his life for his fellow Americans and he would be honored to know that his legacy is making such a difference in the lives of young men like Brendan and Todd.”
After the check presentation, Scullin presented a small piece of metal debris from the World Trade Center to each driver in attendance. Every piece is stamped with “W.T.C. 9/11 Never Forget” and the number “343” in honor of the 343 firefighters who died on Sept. 11, 2001. Each team’s crew has agreed to guard the metal in their pit box on race day.
“It’s such an honor to drive the ‘Honoring Our Heroes’ Ford Fusion and to be a part of the effort to help these veterans who gave so much for us. It is absolutely my privilege to meet Brendan and Todd here at Richmond and to thank them for everything they’ve given up – literally – for our country,” said Gilliland. “I just feel so proud to be driving that car in Stephen’s honor and to have a piece of the World Trade Center on our pit box during the race Saturday night.”
Said Jamie McMurray, “I am proud to have the opportunity to run the “Honoring our Heroes” paint scheme on our Bass Pro Shops car this weekend to pay tribute to all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, along with the men and women in our military that continue to protect our freedom.”
Tonight, Danica Patrick, Carl Edwards, Trevor Bayne and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. will race “Honoring Our Heroes” cars in the Nationwide Series race. David Gilliland, Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart and Jamie McMurray will race “Honoring Our Heroes” cars in Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup series race.
“This truly is a weekend of remembrance for Americans everywhere,” said JR Motorsports driver Patrick. “I think a lot of people will remember this anniversary in their own way, but for me, it’s an absolute privilege to be part of the Honoring our Heroes program this weekend. It’s a testament to the entire NASCAR community that so many drivers and teams have embraced the importance of this program.”
Also, on Sept. 17 at Charlotte’s zMAX Dragway, NHRA superstar and reigning 15-time champion John Force will race the Castrol GTX High Mileage/Honoring Our Heroes Ford Mustang Funny Car. Force’s car will also feature the Tunnel to Towers Foundation logo. A portion of proceeds from all die-cast sold will be donated to the Foundation.
Following the events at Richmond and Charlotte, Lionel NASCAR Collectables will take part in the 2011 Tunnel to Towers Run on Sept. 25. Tunnel to Towers is an annual run in Manhattan hosted by the Foundation in which thousands of runners and walkers retrace the steps of Stephen Siller, an FDNY firefighter who ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001, carrying 75 pounds of gear on his back, to rescue his fellow New Yorkers. This year for the first time, Tunnel to Towers Runs will be held in cities nationwide as a way to mark the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. Danica Patrick’s No. 7 GoDaddy.com/GetYour.Net Chevrolet and the No. 10 Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Show Car will be on display at the run.
Lionel NASCAR Collectables is also the title sponsor of the Charlotte Tunnel to Towers run which will start at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 on Hamilton Street in downtown Charlotte. A group of LNC staffers will run and be on hand to share information about the Honoring Our Heroes program. Patrick’s No. 7 GoDaddy.com/GetYour.Net Chevrolet will also be on display.
For hi-res images and more information about the die-cast replicas of each “Honoring Our Heroes” car, please visit www.LionelNASCARCollectables.com/911story.
For more information about the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, please visit www.tunneltotowersrun.org.
Previous Press Release - August 11, 2011
CARL EDWARDS, TREVOR BAYNE AND RICKY STENHOUSE JR. TO RACE FOR AMERICA’S HEROES AT RICHMOND
Roush Fenway Racing drivers join teammate Greg Biffle in honoring the victims of the September 11 attacks and helping to help build “smart homes” for severely wounded U.S. servicemen.
CONCORD, N.C. (AUGUST 26, 2011) – Today Lionel NASCAR® Collectables (LNC) and Roush Fenway Racing announced that Carl Edwards, Trevor Bayne and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. will all race special “Honoring Our Heroes” cars at Richmond International Raceway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on September 9.
Each Roush Fenway car will pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001 and thank three military heroes who were severely wounded in the line of duty. The cars will also feature the logo of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation – a charitable organization which is raising funds to build “smart homes” for these three servicemen. Stephen Siller was an FDNY firefighter who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center 10 years ago.
Edward’s No. 60 Fastenal/Honoring Our Heroes Ford will honor those who lost their lives in the attack on the Washington D.C. area with a gold wireframe image of the Pentagon that wraps around the car’s sides and TV panel. In addition to the American flag which waves on the sides, the name of United States Marine Corps Corporal John Peck rides on the car’s deck lid. In May of 2010 while on patrol in Afghanistan, Peck was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and lost both legs and both arms in the blast. He is currently recovering at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bethesda.
The No. 16 Fastenal/Honoring Our Heroes Ford Mustang of Trevor Bayne will carry a tribute to those who died in New York when the Twin Towers were hit by two hijacked planes. On Bayne’s car, a silhouette of the Manhattan skyline with the Twin Towers still standing wraps around the rear. His Ford also carries the name of U.S. Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco on the rear deck lid. Marrocco is the first American to survive losing four limbs in combat. He was injured in Iraq on Easter Sunday 2009 when the vehicle he was riding in was hit by an Explosive Fired Projectile (EFP). The EFP entered Marrocco’s door, causing the soldier permanent and life-changing injuries. The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation finished the construction of Marrocco’s “smart home” in June.
Stenhouse and the No. 6 Fastenal/Honoring Our Heroes Ford Mustang will pay tribute to the passengers of Flight 93 who lost their lives over Shanksville, Pa. while saving the U.S. from suffering more casualties on that tragic day. A ghosted number “93” is featured on the C-post and TV panel of Stenhouse’s Ford, while the name of United States Marine Corps Corporal Todd Nicely rides on the rear deck lid. In March 2010, Nicely was injured while leading a unit of 12 men over a bridge in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. He stepped on an IED which exploded and tore off his arms and legs. Since then, he has endured numerous surgeries and has cycled through three kinds of artificial legs and arms.
Lionel NASCAR Collectables will host Marrocco, Nicely and their families at the Richmond races on Sept. 9 and 10, where they will watch their cars take the track and be treated to a VIP NASCAR experience. LNC will also donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each “Honoring Our Heroes” die-cast to The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation which has earmarked these funds for the construction of customized homes for Marrocco, Nicely and Peck.
“It’s a rare and humbling thing to be able to help true American heroes,” said Howard Hitchcock, the Vice President of Lionel NASCAR Collectables. “We are really looking forward to sharing a NASCAR race weekend with Brendan and Todd and we hope that through the Honoring Our Heroes program, more people will be encouraged to donate to The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and help our wounded servicemen.”
As previously announced in May, Roush Fenway driver Greg Biffle will race the No. 16 3M/Honoring Our Heroes Ford Fusion in the NASAR Sprint Cup Series Race on Sept. 10. Biffle’s patriotic tribute features the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation logo on the C-post and rear deck lid as well as the date “September 11, 2001” over the door.
“I can’t say enough about Roush and how they’ve decided to not only honor the sacrifice my brother made on September 11, 2001, but also the sacrifices of our country’s finest like Brendan, Todd and John,” said Frank Siller, Chairman of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and brother of Stephen Siller. “Our family is touched beyond words and we can’t wait to watch these cars race at Richmond.”
Other drivers racing “Honoring Our Heroes” cars at Richmond include Danica Patrick on Sept. 9 and David Gillland, Jamie McMurray and Tony Stewart on Sept. 10. The following weekend at Charlotte’s zMAX Dragway, NHRA superstar John Force will race the Castrol GTX High Mileage/Honoring Our Heroes Ford Mustang Funny Car.
For hi-res images and more information about the die-cast replicas of each “Honoring Our Heroes” car, please visit www.LionelNASCARCollectables.com/911story.
For more information about the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, please visit www.tunneltotowersrun.org.
Previous Press Release - AUGUST 24, 2011
LIONEL NASCAR COLLECTABLES TO BE TITLE SPONSOR OF CHARLOTTE TUNNEL TO TOWERS RUN
CONCORD, NC. (AUGUST 24, 2011) - Lionel NASCAR Collectables (LNC) announced today that it will be the title sponsor of the Charlotte Tunnel to Towers Run, which takes place on September 10, 2011 in downtown Charlotte.
The 5K run honors the memory of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller and all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Ten years ago, Siller ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center towers carrying 75 pounds of gear on his back to rescue his fellow New Yorkers. Siller lost his life when the towers collapsed, leaving his wife, five children and siblings to carry on his memory and share his story.
Money raised by those running will benefit both the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and also local charity The Firefighter Steven Coakley Foundation.
“The story of Stephen Siller has become very personal to our employees,” said Howard Hitchcock, Vice President of Lionel NASCAR Collectables. “We have been honored to partner with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation on the NASCAR side and now we’re equally honored to be actively involved in the Charlotte Tunnel to Towers run where we all live and work.”
As part of the sponsorship, LNC will bring the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation show car and Danica Patrick’s No. 7 GoDaddy GetYour.Net Chevrolet to the run on September 10. “Honoring Our Heroes” die-cast cars will also be available for purchase. A large portion of the proceeds from the sale of each die-cast will benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s efforts to build homes for USMC Corporal Todd Nicely and USMC Corporal John Peck, two of only three Americans to survive losing four limbs in combat.
That same weekend at Richmond International Raceway, several of NASCAR’s biggest stars will race special “Honoring Our Heroes” cars in both the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races. Trevor Bayne, Greg Biffle, David Gilliland, Carl Edwards, Jamie McMurray, Danica Patrick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Tony Stewart will drive in honor of Stephen Siller and those who died in the attacks of 10 years ago.
On September 17 at Charlotte’s zMAX Dragway, NHRA superstar and reigning champion John Force will race the Castrol GTX High Mileage/Honoring Our Heroes Ford Mustang Funny Car. Force’s car will also feature the Tunnel to Towers Foundation logo and proceeds from all die-cast sold will be donated to the Foundation.
Following the events at Charlotte and Richmond, Lionel NASCAR Collectables will take part in the 10th annual Tunnel to Towers Run on September 25 in New York City. Nearly 30 thousand people are expected to participate in this run that retraces Siller’s exact steps as he ran to the towers to save his fellow Americans. Danica Patrick’s No. 7 GoDaddy GetYour.Net Chevrolet and the No. 10 Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Show Car will be on display at the run.
For hi-res images and more information about the die-cast replicas of each “Honoring Our Heroes” car, please visit www.LionelNASCARCollectables.com/911story.
For more information about the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, please visit www.tunneltotowersrun.org.
Previous Press Release - August 11, 2011
RACING SUPERSTAR JOHN FORCE TO WHEEL COMMEMORATIVE SEPTEMBER 11 CAR IN HONOR OF THE STEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION AND AMERICA’S HEROES
Force will race the Castrol GTX High Mileage/Honoring Our Heroes Funny Car at Charlotte’s zMAX Dragway to help build “smart homes” for severely wounded U.S. servicemen.
CONCORD, N.C. (August 11, 2011) - Today Lionel NASCAR® Collectables (LNC) announced that reigning NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car champ John Force will drive a commemorative Ford Mustang Funny Car during the September NHRA Full Throttle Nationals at Charlotte’s zMAX Dragway.
Force’s Castrol GTX High Mileage/Honoring Our Heroes Mustang Funny Car pays tribute to the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001. The Honoring Our Heroes Funny Car will help raise funds to build “smart homes” for two of three surviving quadruple amputees of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan –United States Marine Corps Corporal Todd Nicely and United States Marine Corps Corporal John Peck.
“It has been ten years since those terrible attacks in New York City, Washington DC, and in Pennsylvania. I try to thank as many firefighters, policemen and members of our armed forces every chance I get,” said Force. “To be able to race this unbelievable Funny Car is a real honor for me and my whole organization. I want to thank Lionel NASCAR and the Honoring Our Heroes group for giving me this chance to say thank you and to recognize these real American heroes.”
“Having John Force, a 15-time champion, behind the wheel of this car is going to be the ultimate tribute to those like Stephen Siller who lost their lives on September 11, 2001,” said Howard Hitchcock, Vice President of Lionel NASCAR Collectables. “John is a hero to thousands of race fans and his commitment to raise support for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation will have a huge impact on the lives of American heroes Todd Nicely and John Peck.”
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a charitable organization founded in 2001 by the family of Stephen Siller – an FDNY firefighter. Siller was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he got the call about the attack on the World Trade Center. When he couldn’t drive his truck through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Siller donned 75 pounds of firefighting gear and ran through the tunnel to the towers to help rescue his fellow Americans. Siller lost his life as a result of his heroic actions.
Through LNC’s partnership with the Foundation, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each Castrol GTX High Mileage/Honoring Our Heroes die-cast and associated merchandise will be earmarked for the construction of customized “smart” homes for wounded United States servicemen Nicely and Peck. Both Nicely and Peck are two of only three U.S. servicemen to lose all four limbs in combat and survive.
“We couldn’t be more pleased that John Force is going to honor my brother Stephen and all those who died on Sept. 11, 2001 with this commemorative car,” said Frank Siller, chairman of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and brother of Stephen Siller. “To have my brother’s name on that car and John Force behind the wheel is a tribute I can’t wait to see.”
The Castrol GTX High Mileage/Honoring Our Heroes Mustang Funny Car features a silhouette of the Manhattan skyline along with a gold wireframe drawing of the Pentagon on the nose. The victims of Flight 93 are honored on the car’s rear panel, while the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers logo gets pride of place on the hood. The car will race September 15 through 18 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.
In addition to the September NHRA races, several of NASCAR’s biggest stars will drive Honoring Our Heroes cars during the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races on Sept. 9 and 10 at Richmond International Raceway.
For hi-res images and more information about the die-cast replicas of each “Honoring Our Heroes” car, please visit www.LionelNASCARCollectables.com/911story.
For more information about the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, please visit www.tunneltotowersrun.org.
Previous Press Release - May 26, 2011
LIONEL NASCAR® COLLECTABLES PARTNERS WITH THE STEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION TO HONOR THE HEROES OF SEPTEMBER 11 AND BUILD SMART HOMES FOR THREE SEVERELY WOUNDED U.S. SERVICEMEN
Greg Biffle, David Gilliland, Jamie McMurray, Danica Patrick and Tony Stewart to Drive Special “Honoring Our Heroes” Paint Schemes at Richmond International Raceway in September
CONCORD, N.C. (May 26, 2011) - Today Lionel NASCAR® Collectables, in partnership with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, unveiled a multi-car, on-track program which pays tribute to the 10th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001 and helps raise funds to build homes for the only three surviving quadruple amputees of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – United States Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco, United States Marine Corps Corporal Todd Nicely and United States Marine Corps Corporal John Peck.
As part of the “Honoring Our Heroes” program, NASCAR stars Greg Biffle, David Gilliland, Jamie McMurray, Danica Patrick and Tony Stewart will drive special patriotic paint schemes which feature the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation logo during the September race weekend at Richmond International Raceway.
“I think it’s important for NASCAR to do something as a sport to honor all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and to remember American heroes like Stephen Siller,” said Howard Hitchcock, Vice President of LNC.
“Partnering with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to help make a real difference in the lives of three military heroes who have sacrificed almost everything for their country was something we, as a company, felt compelled to do,” he continued.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a charitable organization founded in 2001 by the family of Stephen Siller – an FDNY firefighter. Siller was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he got the call about the attack on the World Trade Center. When he couldn’t drive his truck through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Siller donned 75 pounds of firefighting gear and ran through the tunnel to the towers to help rescue his fellow Americans. Siller lost his life as a result of his heroic actions.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each “Honoring Our Heroes” die-cast and associated merchandise will be donated to The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation which has earmarked these funds for the construction of customized “smart” homes for wounded United States servicemen Marrocco, Nicely and Peck.
“We are honored that these NASCAR teams, drivers and sponsors and the folks at Lionel NASCAR Collectables have embraced our Foundation and its cause in such a big way,” said George Siller, Vice Chairman of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and brother of Stephen Siller.
“It means so much to us that my brother’s name will be remembered by the sport and that, in turn, his heroism will be used to better the lives of heroes like Brendan, Todd and John.”
To bring even more attention to the Foundation’s charitable efforts, David Gilliland will run the No. 34 Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Ford Fusion for Front Row Motorsports on Sept. 10. Front Row Motorsports has donated Gilliland’s entire paint scheme to honor the legacy of Stephen Siller and to help increase awareness of the Foundation’s efforts to help the heroes of the U.S. military.
“I feel humbled to have Stephen Siller’s name on my car on such an important and emotional anniversary for our country,” said Gilliland. “And I hope that seeing the No. 34 Ford on track on Sept. 10 will bring a smile to those three soldier’s faces and let them know that their country cares about them and is thankful for their heroic service.”
Danica Patrick will drive a special version of the No. 7 Go Daddy Get Your.Net Chevrolet for JR Motorsports during the Sept. 9 Nationwide Series race at Richmond. Patrick |
