Colin Garrett’s team that races to combat veteran suicide was featured in Military Families magazine in the September 2020 issue. Published by AmeriForce Media, the magazine reaches 6 million readers & goes to 1,300 on-base units & organizations worldwide.

Before those at risk can be helped, they must know about help that’s available to them. That’s the entire purpose of the National Awareness Campaign Colin began with Racing For Heroes in January 2019 and expanded with The Rosie Network that November.

The exposure in Military Families will help us reach many individuals and families who may be at risk, and can literally help save lives. It also gives invaluable exposure to our partners, including veteran-owned The Jewelry Republic that was in the feature photo.

We greatly appreciate that AmeriForce Media’s Managing Editor, Bianca Strzalkowski, understands our mission and recognized how they could help.

You can read the full feature here:
https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?m=58493&i=669901&p=20

Another no-practice, no-qualifying COVID-era race, the No. 26 drew P37 at Kansas Speedway. Colin Garrett had his first-ever lap at the speedway when he took the green flag and ended the race named Highest Mover of the race.

In Stage 1 of the 3-stage race, Garrett raced from P37 to P17, showing the other teams that he and the Sam Hunt Racing Toyota Supra are a force to be reckoned with.

Restarting P18 for Stage 3, spotter Jess Vaughan radio’ed him, “Doing a great job for never seeing this place before! Beating a lot of guys who have been here quite a few times. Keep diggin’.”

With 5 laps to go after a caution, Garrett was in P20 and raced it home to finish P16. Another great day for Our American Dream Team!

Once again drawing last in the no-practice, no-qualifying race at Talladega Superspeedway, driver Colin Garrett moved up through the field FAST. With some of the fastest track times of the day, he moved from P39 to P17 and was going strong.

Unfortunately, he got caught up in a wreck in front of him, ending the race for 5 cars including the Sam Hunt Racing The Rosie Network / Racing For Heroes #26.

Driver is ok, and that’s all that matters!

Fine Jewelry Stores Have Access to Special Events & Giveaways While Helping Combat Veteran Suicide

The Jewelry Republic and NASCAR driver Colin Garrett announced today an initiative to help boost economic recovery efforts for small business. The initiative is opening wholesale open to buy (OTB) jewelry opportunities to fine jewelry stores operating within all NASCAR markets, and allows these jewelers to participate in a national NASCAR marketing campaign.

As part of NASCAR driver Colin Garrett’s National Awareness Campaign to combat veteran suicide, participating jewelers will have the opportunity to hold special events and giveaways with Garrett, among other marketing opportunities.

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The Jewelry Republic partners with Garrett’s crowdfunded NASCAR Xfinity Series team to promote free life saving services offered by Racing For Heroes and The Rosie Network. These services are needed more than ever due to the effects of the COVID-19 shutdown.

Opportunity Summary:

The Jewelry Republic will coordinate “meet the driver” opportunities for participating jewelers to interact with Colin Garrett, driver of the NASCAR Xfinity Series No. 26 Toyota Supra of Sam Hunt Racing, and the only driver whose team is dedicated to combating veteran suicide. Autographed swag, Q&A and store shout-outs will make for an exciting store/customer event.

• Customers to meet professional NASCAR driver Colin Garrett, driver of Sam Hunt Racing’s No. 26 Toyota Supra car.
• Drive traffic to your store
• Autographed swag giveaways
• Support a wonderful Veteran nonprofit cause
• Your company logo on the team website
• Various social media shoutouts

A passion of The Jewelry Republic is to give back by bringing awareness to causes that have personally affected the owner and employees of the company. Partnerships with these 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. 

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.”

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.”

Lisa Kipps-Brown, military spouse and pro bono marketing strategist for the crowdfunded NASCAR team, said “Through my work with economic development organizations, I see first hand the devastating effects the shutdown has had. Small businesses need all the help they can get. The Jewelry Republic has put together a unique opportunity for them to participate in a national NASCAR marketing campaign while also being part of something bigger: the fight against veteran suicide.

Both of team driver Colin Garrett’s brothers are both Active Duty Army, making Veteran, Active Duty, and military family issues personal to him. 

“Our Team is 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 for our mission and we’re proud to have them as part of the team!”

“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.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the races at Homestead didn’t have qualifying and the starting lineup was set by random draw.

The team drew P37 for the first race, last position, but within 15 laps were P29. Garrett raced as high as P9 but finished P21 after running the last laps with a tire going flat.

In Day 2 of the doubleheader, the team drew to start P21. In an exciting double overtime finish,  Colin drove hard to finish P14, gaining 4 spots in the two laps of overtime.

After the race, team owner Sam Hunt tweeted “First top 15 finish for @team_shr26 in the Xfinity Series. If you would have told me this was in my future a couple years ago, i would have called you crazy. Grateful and hungry to keep pushing with this small group.”

Next up: Talladega!

BodyAqua Health Waters Are the Only Beverages Forged From Adversity Experienced in a Combat Zone

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Colin Garrett and the Sam Hunt Racing No. 26 Toyota team announced today that BodyAqua health water is joining the team as a partner for the doubleheader at Homestead-Miami Speedway on June 13 and 14.

Certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned BodyAqua is the only beverage forged from adversity experienced while serving in a combat zone. Founder CPT Sherman Williams developed the idea when he experienced extreme dehydration in the most unforgiving, arid desert environments of Iraq.

Body Aqua’s Fitness Support and Skin Support health waters are functional beverages that provide over 1000% of daily recommended vitamins and minerals, are diabetic friendly, have no caffeine, coloring, or artificial flavorings, and target specific areas of the body.

Garrett’s crowdfunded team is the only NASCAR team dedicated to combating veteran suicide and helping military families live the American Dream they give so much to protect. He said, “BodyAqua is a natural fit for our team and expands the reach of our mission. We’re proud to bring another veteran owned company into the family, especially one whose products provide health benefits. Having them on the car at Homestead, a military community, is exciting. Since BodyAqua is now available in Walmart stores across Florida, these races are the perfect opportunity for us to help get the word out about these unique beverages.”

CPT Williams knows firsthand that proper nutrients and hydration are critical to helping prevent suicide, saying “one of the key nutrients in BodyAqua is an essential nutrient called Choline, which helps regulate memory, mood, muscle control, and other functions controlled by the brain.” Sherman added that “this health link and our commitment to supporting our brothers and sisters in the military community are key to why we are partnering with Colin Garrett to support the cause of veteran suicide prevention.”

Garrett’s pro bono National Awareness Campaign promotes free veteran suicide prevention services offered by nonprofit Racing For Heroes, founded by a Service Disabled Veteran, and free veteran and military spouse entrepreneur training and support offered by The Rosie Network, founded by a military spouse. Crowdfunding helps replace funding that would normally come from large corporate sponsors.

BodyAqua is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, home to a large military community. Lisa Kipps-Brown, the marketing strategist behind the National Awareness Campaign said, “My husband is retired Navy, our kids were born and raised in Jacksonville, and I actually started my own business there in 1996. I’m thrilled to have a veteran owned company from my second hometown join the team! Working with a company based in this important military city will help us reach even more veterans, active duty, and military family members who can benefit from the free services we promote, important now #morethaneverbefore due to the pandemic.”

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.