Darlington Raceway is known as being “Too Tough to Tame” for a reason. In the words of Fox Sports writer Jared Turner, it “inflicts headaches on the most seasoned veterans. It notoriously punishes rookies. It crushes dreams.”

After not racing since February because of the COVID-19 shutdown, Colin Garrett and the Sam Hunt Racing The Rosie Network No 26 Toyota knew they had an uphill battle, to say the least.

A new team with a rookie Xfinity driver who had never even been to Darlington would be racing with no practice laps or qualifying. What could possibly go wrong?

The race was delayed two days by rain and then another 4 hours on May 21 before the green flag could be waved.

As it turned out, though, the only thing that went wrong for the team was debris chipping a brake bleeder. That trapped the car in the garage for 35 laps but this isn’t a team that quits.

Colin drove one of the fastest cars and came away with not a scratch on it! His average speed was position 13 as he ran speeds between p10 and p15 all day.

Since there was no qualifying, the starting lineup was set via a random draw and Colin started P39. He had made it up to P30 before the brake issue, but did make it back out on the track and finished the race.

With Darlington being such a notoriously hard track and the potential for lots of wrecks because of the COVID-19-caused lack of seat time for any of the drivers, the young team is actually thrilled with the results.

Team owner Sam Hunt said he’s “so proud of this team for fighting to get back out and run the rest of the race extremely competitively.” He was happy “seeing Colin weave through the field without putting a scratch on the car… and getting to race with the front half of the field and earn their respect along the way. “

This kind of success under stressful conditions leaves Hunt “excited to get back after it and grow as a team through the season.”

Coronavirus brings Virginia distilleries and NASCAR full circle

In a twist on NASCAR’s roots in running moonshine during Prohibition, two Virginia distilleries, Springfield Distillery and Bondurant Brothers, are partnering with NASCAR driver Colin Garrett and nonprofit Racing For Heroes to get their alcohol-based hand sanitizers to South Central Virginia’s first responders and essential businesses that desperately need it.

Responding to the national shortage caused by hand sanitizers being stockpiled due to COVID-19, the distilleries shifted their production lines from whiskey to alcohol-based hand sanitizers to help meet the need. To get supplies to communities as soon as possible, NASCAR driver Colin Garrett has volunteered to make the deliveries.

Nonprofit Racing For Heroes is taking orders by email and phone, and Garrett will personally make the delivery runs. The distilleries are giving away the hand sanitizer, but anyone who wants to help combat the epidemic of veteran suicide is encouraged to make a donation to Racing For Heroes.

First responders and essential businesses can email [email protected] or phone 434-822-4201 to place their order with Racing For Heroes. Donations may be made online at RacingForHeroes.org.

Garrett will also be helping make deliveries to other areas of Virginia for Silverback Distillery. Silverback’s hand sanitizers can be ordered on their website, sbdistillery.com.

Other distilleries in Virginia or North Carolina that would like to participate can contact Racing For Heroes to coordinate.

Mike Evock, founder of Racing For Heroes, said “while this is a difficult time for everyone, it’s especially hard for those at risk of suicide. We hope this will not only help prevent spread of the virus, but possibly also help save jobs since financial stress is one of the leading causes of suicide.”

James Gordon, owner of Springfield Distillery, said they’re happy to have Racing For Heroes take over the delivery logistics. “It’s taking all of our resources just to produce as much hand sanitizer as possible so there’s no way we can make deliveries. Now we can concentrate on production and let them and Colin handle the rest,” he added.

Colin Garrett has been running a pro bono National Awareness Campaign for Racing For Heroes for over a year. Garrett said “racing to raise awareness is on hold because of the Coronavirus. I’m excited to get behind the wheel in a different way, though, to help the distilleries and Racing For Heroes help our communities. It will be great if someone in need of RFH’s free services to combat veteran suicide happens to learn about them through this effort.”

Lisa Kipps-Brown, the marketing strategist behind the National Awareness Campaign said, “NASCAR’s roots lie in the fast cars that ran moonshine during Prohibition. Now it’s come around full circle, with a NASCAR driver delivering alcohol-based hand sanitizers produced by distilleries. Colin will even be delivering to law enforcement officers like those who would have been chasing stock car racing’s forerunners, including the Bondurant brothers’ grandfather, in the 20’s.”

Quantities of the hand sanitizer are limited and priority will be given to first responders and essential businesses in South Central Virginia. Springfield Distillery and Bondurant Brothers Distillery encourage other distilleries in Virginia and North Carolina to contact Racing For Heroes if they want to join the cause and help expand distribution to other areas.

Slot Car Event Company Will Debut At Homestead-Miami Speedway

San Diego-based Nomad Raceways, a Veteran-owned and operated business, and NASCAR driver Colin Garrett announced a new partnership today. The company that takes its high tech slot car tracks worldwide for special events will be on Garrett’s Sam Hunt Racing No. 26 Xfinity Series car and Niece Motorsports’ Gander RV & Outdoors Truck at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 20-21.

Since 2003, Nomad Raceways has entertained customers, employees, and VIP’s for companies like Acura and Gander RV & Outdoors, and events like the National Farm Machinery Show. They even built the track for Mariah Carey’s “Touch My Body” music video.

Besides being on the car at Homestead-Miami, Nomad Raceways will be working with Colin Garrett to promote veteran suicide awareness through their events. Garrett’s crowdfunded Xfinity team, known as “Our American Dream Team,” is owned by Sam Hunt Racing. Hunt has played an integral part in making the crowdfunding campaign a reality.

Marine Veteran and Nomad Raceways owner Joe Wind said, “Our team at Nomad Raceways has been searching long and hard to find the perfect marketing opportunity. When I was referred to Our American Dream team by another Veteran Owned Business, it felt like the perfect match. To be able to market with them became secondary; this team is focused and determined to raise money for the fight against veteran suicides. As a United States Marine, that cause resonates deep within me, and all of my brothers and sisters. I am proud to call Nomad Raceways a partner with Colin Garrett and Racing for Heroes!”

“Most NASCAR fans never get the chance to go to a race but now we can bring the race to them,” said Colin Garrett. “Nomad Raceways always attracts attention at their events so they’re a great avenue to help increase exposure for the free services we promote. Every person who knows of those services could make the difference in saving someone’s life.”

Lisa Kipps-Brown, the military spouse Marketing Strategist behind Our American Dream Team, said that “partnering with Nomad Raceways also gives us another way that we can help other partners present unique special events. Fans are already excited to be able to meet Colin, and to be able to race replicas of his cars on slot tracks makes it even more exciting. Who knows? They could end up racing Colin himself!”

“It’s shake and bake, veteran style. NASCAR is well known for being military friendly. When the green flag waves at Daytona this weekend, it will usher in the new NASCAR season with a really special story.”

– Joslin Joseph, We Are The Mighty

Media outlet We Are The Mighty recently published an article from writer Joslin Joseph based on an interview with the milspouse marketing strategist behind our team. Lisa Kipps-Brown, wife of a combat veteran who retired from the Navy with 26 years of services, shared with Joslin why we started promoting Veteran suicide awareness in 2019, how our crowdfunding campaign came to be, and obstacles we’ve overcome along the way.

We Are The Mighty is a US military media brand run by veterans, military family members, and civilians to bring relevant, engaging entertainment to the military community.

Crowdfunded NASCAR Xfinity Series Team Races to Combat Veteran Suicide

The Jewelry Republic announced today that it is officially teaming up with two Veteran Support Organization power houses, The Rosie Network and Hunt-Garrett Racing, a crowdfunded NASCAR Xfinity Series team that races to combat veteran suicide.  The Jewelry Republic is committed to bringing fine jewelry at affordable prices to Active Duty members, Veterans, First Responders, Dependants, Family and Supporters.

A passion of The Jewelry Republic is to bring awareness by giving back to causes that have personally affected the owner and employees of the company. Partnerships with these two Veteran Support Organizations help to further its mission to support military Veterans and Spouses in the advancement of their careers and, ultimately, the quality of their lives with the prevention of suicide in the military community.

Greg Boudah, founder of The Jewelry Republic and a Marine Veteran said, “We’re inspired by our military community and the unique American character we all share to stand up for our beliefs and fight for what’s most important – in this case, raising awareness and funds to end Veteran suicide. Our business, product quality and values align with our customers and it shows.”

“To the Active Duty, Veterans, First Responders, our families, dependents and all of the supporters that have helped make this happen, This Is Our Car!” Charles Mund, Chief Operating Officer, declared. “It’s come together so well and we did it as a united front, for the right cause at the right time. You couldn’t ask for anything greater and more humbling to be a part of.”

“Rosie stands for the American Entrepreneurial Spirit this country was built on and we believe those who serve have earned the right to the American Dream of business ownership.” said Stephanie Brown, CEO and Founder of The Rosie Network.

Team driver Colin Garrett’s two brothers are both Active Duty Army, making Veteran, Active Duty, and military family issues personal to him. “Our Teamis dedicated to preventing suicide in the military community and helping Veterans and military families live the American Dream they give so much to protect,” Garrett said. “The Jewelry Republic hires from within the military community, empowering military families to reach their own American Dream. They’re the perfect fit to join our mission and be featured on our car at Daytona. We’re excited to have them as part of the team!”

NASCAR’s youngest duo, 19-year-old driver Colin Garrett and 26-year-old owner Sam Hunt, announced Monday that they have exceeded their $200,000 goal to fund the new Xfinity team’s run at Daytona in February and were able to set aside enough to pay for a veteran’s stem cell treatments.

The crowdfunded “Our American Dream Team” is dedicated to combating the epidemic of veteran suicide, promoting the free services of nonprofit Racing For Heroes to help spread awareness to those in need of mental and physical health services for traumatic brain injury and PTSD.  

Both of Garrett’s brothers are Active Duty Army, with one currently deployed to Korea, making this cause personally important to him. “After promoting Racing For Heroes pro bono throughout the 2019 season, we decided we wanted to expand that effort in 2020,” said Garrett. “We’ve added nonprofit The Rosie Network to the team this year, and our goal is for each crowdfunded race to not only promote the nonprofits but to also help fund their programs.” Crowdfunding allows the team to promote the nonprofits rather than traditional corporate sponsors.

Racing For Heroes’ founder, retired Army Special Forces Mike Evock, said, “this is the first time I’ve ever seen a team use crowdfunding successfully to race, and this team is doing it to promote causes important to veterans and military families. Being able to pay for a veteran’s stem cell treatments out of the very first phase of crowdfunding is huge.” 

Stephanie Brown, founder of The Rosie Network, is the wife of a Navy SEAL who retired as Admiral with over 30 years of service. TRN provides no-cost entrepreneurial training to veterans and military spouses. 

“We’ve developed a program with Colin and Sam to promote military family-owned small businesses who contribute as little as $10 to the crowdfunding campaign,” said Brown. “The businesses also get a badge to use in their marketing that designates them as a Veteran Business Advocate of Our American Dream Team. The Rosie Network’s role in the prevention of suicide is to help military families live the American Dream they’ve given so much to protect.” 

Team owner Sam Hunt said, “being able to race at Daytona is what we all dream about, and getting to do it with a purpose much larger than NASCAR is really special.” One of his best friends is a Navy SEAL, making the cause personal to him as well.

Xfinity Team Will Promote Veterans’ Causes and the American Dream

The Rosie Network, a national award-winning network of over 30,000 Veteran and Military family-owned businesses around the country, announced today that it will partner with Colin Garrett Racing and Sam Hunt Racing to promote Veterans’ causes and the American Dream through their new crowdfunded Xfinity team.

The partnership will field the only NASCAR team backed by the American people and Veteran-owned businesses. Crowdfunding the team will allow them to focus on improving the lives of military families who have already given so much, rather than promoting a single large corporation.

Partnering with The Rosie Network is an expansion of Colin Garrett’s 2019 pro bono promotion of Racing For Heroes’ free services that combat the epidemic of Veteran suicide.

The Sam Hunt Racing-owned team will run as The Rosie Network / Racing For Heroes Toyota Supra.

“Rosie stands for the American Entrepreneurial Spirit this country was built on and we believe those who serve have earned the right to the American Dream of business ownership.  Sam and Colin exemplify that spirit by supporting Veteran and Military Spouse-Owned businesses and racing to end the crisis of veteran suicide in this country.”  

Stephanie Brown, CEO and Founder of The Rosie Network

Stephanie’s father, a Vietnam veteran and small business owner, taught her that success in life is measured by the impact we make on others.  She married now retired Rear Admiral Tom Brown (SEAL) and has raised two sons in the military.

Team owner Sam Hunt has been racing for years but says, “Racing with Colin is different than anything else I’ve ever been a part of. We’re more like a family.”

“Bringing The Rosie Network into the family will greatly enhance the fundamental changes we’re working to make. They’re the perfect complement to our existing relationship with Racing For Heroes.”

Sam Hunt, team owner

Supporting the U.S. Military is personal to driver Colin Garrett. “Both of my brothers are active-duty Army and I’ve had family members in every major conflict in our country’s history, so Veterans’ causes are important to me,” he said.

“I’m proud to be able to represent military families and companies, and to contribute to the important work that The Rosie Network is doing.”

Colin Garrett, NASCAR driver

39 cars were vying for 38 spots at the Ford Ecoboost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the 2019 season’s final NASCAR Xfinity race. Colin had to qualify 33rd or better to make the race and in his very first qualifying run at an Xfinity Series 1.5 mile speedway, he qualified 15th.

Garrett leveraged the pit crew from Stewart-Haas Racing and a Joe Gibbs Racing engine to finish the race in 21st position, in spite of having a loose wheel and fighting a bad set of tires. The rookie driver and new Xfinity team created quite a stir on social media and are using the Homestead run to build on for Daytona in February.

Not a bad debut for the @Team_SHR18 No. 26.@ColinGarrettWeb brings it home in 21st in his 2nd career #XfinitySeries race. pic.twitter.com/Ha0lVeaQQv

— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) November 17, 2019

Hunt-Garrett Racing To Compete in 2020 Series

26-year-old Sam Hunt and 19-year-old Colin Garrett, the youngest owner/driver duo in NASCAR, announced today that they are bringing a crowdfunded Xfinity Series team to the sport. Hunt-Garrett Racing will be structured around and funded by the American people and the companies that hire them.

Hunt-Garrett Racing will debut at Daytona in February’s Xfinity race with the support of Mark Cronquist and Joe Gibbs Racing Engines. They plan to run a paint scheme dedicated to their fans as they race “for and because of them.”

The crowdfunding campaign is kicking off at OurAmericanDreamTeam.com with the “First Stop: Daytona!” phase. An initial “soft launch” of the site has already raised almost $40,000.

Backers will become a part of NASCAR history, with their names included in the credits for a rewards docu-video of Hunt-Garrett Racing’s journey leading to Daytona and through Speedweeks.

Other rewards include team apparel, gloves worn by Garrett at Daytona, a backer’s name on the car, and an embroidered show suit replica of Garrett’s fire suit.

“It’s no secret that the structure of motorsports continues to rely more and more on the financial backing carried by it’s own competitors,” says Hunt.

His and Garrett’s goal is to build “a team crafted and built by every day, hard working American dreamers who share a goal in restoring the faith that hard work, proper education, and a strong moral compass can still thrive and survive at the pinnacle of our sport.”

“Working with our dedicated fans and partners that share this belief that the American Dream is very much alive, we will establish ourselves as THE team that every American can support, and every dreamer can feel directly connected to on and off the racetrack,” Hunt adds.

For additional information about Hunt-Garrett Racing and the American Dream Team crowdfunding campaign, visit OurAmericanDreamTeam.com.

Colin Garrett makes his debut driving the No. 38 Wide Open Entrepreneurs Chevrolet in NASCAR’s Gander Outdoors Truck Series Friday, Sept. 13, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In the words of Colin’s father:

“Like any entrepreneur, you’ve got to trust your instincts and step out of your comfort zone… Colin Garrett has never set foot in a NASCAR truck, yet on Friday he will practice for one hour, qualify and then race. To reach his goal he’s got to go wide open, just like every entrepreneur with a dream. Watch Colin Friday night, and then come get Wide Open with Steve Sims in October in South Boston VA.”

Steve Sims, author of Bluefishing: The Art of Making Things Happen,” is headlining Wide Open Entrepreneurs, a conference being presented by Colin Garrett Racing, Glerin Business Resources, and Propel GPS on October 24  to help entrepreneurs realize their dreams. The event will benefit Racing For Heroes’ fight against Veterans suicide.

Team: No. 38 Wide Open Entrepreneurs Chevrolet Silverado

Driver: Colin Garrett

Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @ColinGarrettWeb

PR Contact: Michelle Brachowski; [email protected]

Colin Garrett on Racing at Las Vegas: “I’m grateful to Al Niece and everyone at Niece Motorsports for this opportunity and am really looking forward to getting on track in the No. 38 Wide Open Entrepreneurs Chevrolet,” said Garrett. “I know we will have a solid truck, so it’s just a matter of learning as much as we can in practice and applying that to qualifying and the race.”

Garrett at Las Vegas: Garrett looks to make his first start in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series on Friday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

About Garrett: Unlike most race car drivers who have been racing karts since early childhood, Garrett did not begin racing until he was 14 years old.  His very first year of racing was 2015, when he ran a Pure Stock car and finished 8^th in points at South Boston Speedway.

In his second season of racing in 2016, Garrett successfully transitioned to a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Limited Late Model Stock Car and finished 4^th in points at South Boston Speedway.

In just his third racing season, Garrett was South Boston Speedway’s 2017 Limited Sportsman Division Champion and broke the track’s qualifying record twice during the season.

In 2018, Garrett raced in both the K&N Pro Series East and the Late Model Division.

The 2019 season has seen Garrett compete in the K&N Pro Series, in addition to making his first NASCAR XFINITY Series start at Richmond Raceway.

On the Truck: The No. 38 Chevrolet Silverado will carry the Wide Open Entrepreneurs colors this week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The inaugural Wide Open Entrepreneurs Conference, with keynote speaker Steve D. Sims, looks to help struggling businesses find success or give new entrepreneurs the tools they need to finally start their dream business.

For more information visit: www.getwideopen.com.