Published: May 12, 2008
IndyCar Personalized
By Spc. William E. Henry, Indiana Army National Guard 
The Adjutant General of Indiana, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, joins Panther Racing's Indy racecar driver, Vitor Meira, and CEO, Managing Partner, John Barnes, in customizing the National Guard Indy Car with the unit insignia of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Photo by Spc. William E. Henry, Indiana Army National Guard.
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An Indiana Army National Guard 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team unit insignia decal was placed on the nose of the National Guard Indy racing car in Panther Racing's garage at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, April 7.
Indiana Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, joined Panther Racing's CEO, Managing Partner, John Barnes and driver, Vitor Meira, to take part in personalizing the National Guard Indy racecar.
"This is terribly important, it ties us directly to them (the National Guard) and them to us," said John Barnes.
The Adjutant General of Indiana, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, places a portion of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team unit insignia to the National Guard Indy racecar at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Wednesday, May 7, 2008. The National Guard Panther Racing team makes a point to place the insignia of a local state National Guard unit on the car wherever they race. Photo by Spc. William E. Henry, Indiana Army National Guard.
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Barnes went on to express his gratitude to the National Guard and explain that attending a recent homecoming of Indiana Army National Guard Company F, 151st Infantry Regiment, was special to him.
"Attending that ceremony was one of the most emotional times in my life. It was such an honor to be there," he said.
One man who agrees with the importance of the National Guard, Vitor Meira, says no matter what state the team is in, the area Soldiers and Airmen should be honored for their commitment.
"Personalizing, it just shows how much we honor what they do. We do it to get close and more personal. It's important to have that connection in the region we're in," said Meira.
The Adjutant General of Indiana, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, greets Soldiers from Detachment 4, 138th Training Regiment, Combat Arms, Muncie, Ind., before their chance to ride in a two-seated Indy racecar at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Photo by Spc. William E. Henry, Indiana Army National Guard.
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According to Meira, in every U.S. state that the team races, they will place a National Guard unit insignia decal of that state on the racecar. This process, he says, strengthens the bond between the team and who they're representing on the track, no matter in what region of the U.S. they're racing.
judythpiazza@newsblaze.com
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