Jeff Gordon Salutes Law Enforcement at Dover International Speedway

On Sunday, September 26th, 2010, at Dover International Speedway, during the “AA400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race; Jeff Gordon ran a special paint scheme as part of a campaign with DuPont™ to raise awareness of law enforcement safety and support for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet showcased www.PoliceMuseum.org on both rear quarter panels, along with the Memorial Fund’s Rose & Shield logo on the trunk.

At the DuPont hospitality tent, Jeff Gordon spoke to a crowd of over 500 people about the important role of law enforcement safety and his support for the Museum and the Memorial Fund.

“I hope race fans get excited about this paint scheme ,and the meaning behind it, and go to the www.PoliceMuseum.org web site to see how they can get involved,” said Gordon.

Craig W. Floyd, Chairman & CEO, and John Shanks, Director of Law Enforcement Relations for the Memorial Fund joined special guests Detective David Spicer, Dover (DE) and Investigator Kyle Russel, Alexandria City (VA) who were invited by DuPont. The officers share something in common – they are both survivors, who escaped death by wearing Kevlar body armor made of the bulletproof fibers produced by DuPont.

Detective David Spicer was shot twice while detaining a career criminal and drug dealer in March of 2001 in Dover; losing almost half of his blood volume, before being shot twice more in the chest at close range. Had it not been for Detective Spicer’s Kevlar body armor, he would not have been able to attend the race and share his story.

Investigator Kyle Russel was attacked during a routine traffic stop on a highway outside of Washington, DC, in September 2008. As Investigator Russel approached the vehicle, the driver grabbed a .45 caliber pistol and shot Russel in the chest. When he reported the shooting to police dispatch, he said, “I’m okay. I think the vest got it.”

Gordon hopes the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet helped raise awareness of the importance of law enforcement safety – one of the goals behind the partnership between Gordon, DuPont and the Memorial Fund. He hopes the special paint scheme helped foster support for the National Law Enforcement Museum, which will break ground on October 14, 2010 in Washington, DC; with an expected opening in late 2013.

“I can’t think of a better way to make race fans aware of National Law Enforcement Museum which will salute the bravery of law enforcement officers from all over the country,” Gordon said. “It’s a great way to educate the public on how important it is to keep our police officers safe in such a dangerous line of duty.”

To support the Memorial Fund by purchasing a DuPont/Police Museum branded die-cast car or a commemorative T-shirt, go to www.PoliceMuseum.org.

For more information:

http://www.nascar.com/2010/news/opinion/09/24/splash-go-rswan-dspicer-dover/

http://www.policemag.com/Channel/Patrol/News/2010/09/10/Jeff-Gordon-and-DuPont-Honor-Line-of-Duty-Deaths.aspx

http://www.speedwaymedia.com/articles/pr/pr.asp?pr=092110125233