The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, and NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver Kevin Harvick, saluted America’s Employers as Harvick drove the ESGR #29 Coast Guard Car into victory lane at the Ford 300 Busch Series race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Harvick was the fifth and final driver, of a NASCAR Dream Team of five drivers, recruited by Richard Childress to Salute America’s Supportive Employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists for a five-race NASCAR Busch Series. Previous NASCAR Dream Team drivers were Bobby Labonte, Tony Stewart, Ricky Craven, and Kerry Earnhardt.

Prior to the start of the Ford 300, Harvick was asked what it meant to drive the ESGR #29 Car in honor of the Coast Guard and America’s Supportive Employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists. "It's going to be a lot of fun driving the ESGR car in Miami”, said Harvick of Richard Childress Racing (RCR). “The folks with ESGR have been great to work with and I think they've brought a lot of attention to what they're trying to accomplish through their Busch sponsorship”.

“There have been a lot of great drivers in this car this year and I'm honored to get the chance to try and take it to Victory Lane. Everyone at RCR, including myself, is honored to be able to give something back to the men and women who are fighting to keep this country safe. It's something we'll all remember”, added Harvick.

This was Harvick’s first victory at the Miami-Homestead raceway, and his thirteenth career Busch Series win. Harvick and the ESGR Coast Guard Chevy took the lead at the 75th lap and never looked back.

“The culmination of an aggressive ESGR Employer Outreach effort by the magnificent volunteers of ESGR, capped off by Kevin Harvick driving the ESGR #29 Coast Guard Car to a win at the Homestead Motor Speedway, demonstrated the incredible teamwork displayed by the ESGR volunteers and the Richard Childress Racing Team”, said Bob Hollingsworth, ESGR Executive Director.

“This confirmed in my mind that the strategy, planning, execution, motivation and teamwork to win races are exactly the same requirements to accomplish the ESGR mission. The win on the track was as sweet as the home run that was hit by ESGR Committees. Our partnership and relationship with NASCAR has been productive beyond our expectations. This will continue to add momentum to the ESGR strategy. I am excited about the possibilities in the future for ESGR because now we are winners on and off the track. I want to thank all RCR personnel for a fantastic boost in our Employer Outreach by providing the vehicle to elevate ESGR to a higher plateau of Employer Support. It is all about winning”, concluded Hollingsworth.

The unique mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active employer support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the Guard and Reserve as defined by demonstrated employer commitment to employee military service. Please visit our website at www.esgr.mil, or call 800-336-4590, to learn more about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities.