McMurray to run special stamp scheme at Daytona

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Williams TravelCenters Racing, sponsor of the No. 27 Brewco Motorsports entry for driver Jamie McMurray in the NASCAR Busch Series, has announced a joint promotional opportunity with the U.S. Postal Service for the upcoming Busch Series event at Daytona International Speedway.

The joint collaboration will feature a special, one-race only "patriotic" paint scheme design featuring the U.S. Postal Service logo on both rear quarter panels. The U.S. Postal Service's new semi-postal stamp, "Heroes of 2001", will also be prominently displayed on the hood.

The "Heroes of 2001" stamp was created to help generate funds to provide assistance to families of emergency relief personnel killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty in connection with the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

This affiliation marks the first time the U.S. Postal Service has used a professional stock car to help promote a new fundraising stamp.

"The Postal Service is pleased that Brewco Motorsports and Williams TravelCenters chose the Heroes of 2001 stamp to symbolize the patriotic spirit Americans share during this important holiday week," said Azeezaly S. Jaffer, vice president, Public Affairs and Communications for the Postal Service.

"Everybody wants to do what they can to help those who have been personally affected by the tragic events of Sept. 11," McMurray said. "With this being the inaugural Busch Series race under the lights at Daytona, this is a great opportunity to create exposure for this new stamp that provides funds to those individuals that risked and gave their lives for others."

"Seeing this stamp on the hood of the car really takes you back to that day and all the emotions that everyone went through," McMurray added. "I am truly honored to be given this opportunity to be the ‘torch-bearer' for such a great cause. Hopefully all the NASCAR fans will embrace this partnership and in return, we can help raise some money for the relief fund."

Postmaster General John E. Potter, along with members of Congress and other special guests, dedicated the stamp June 7 in New York City. He said the stamp is a tangible way for all Americans to become involved.

"We ask every American to use the Heroes of 2001 stamp on every letter and package they send. Because by doing this, we are also sending a message to our friends and a stark reminder to our enemies: We are Americans. We do not shirk our duty. We do not flee from danger. And we do not forget our heroes," said Potter.

The Heroes of 2001 stamp is now available at all post offices. The price of the self-adhesive, non-denominated stamp is 45 cents. As a semi-postal, it is valid for postage at the First-Class first-ounce letter rate in effect at the time of purchase (currently 34 cents), with the difference between the sales price of the stamp and the underlying postage consisting of a tax-deductible contribution.

Funds raised in connection with sales of the stamp, net of the Postal Service's reasonable costs, are transferred to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Over the next several months, FEMA will develop a program designed to meet the intention of Congress to assist the families of the emergency relief workers killed or permanently disabled as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks. FEMA will announce the details of the program later this summer.

Designed by Derry Noyes of Washington, D.C., the stamp features a detail of the famous photograph taken by Thomas E. Franklin of three firefighters as they raised the U.S. flag at "Ground Zero." Franklin is a staff photographer at The Record newspaper in Bergen County, N.J.

In addition to running the special paint scheme at Daytona, Williams TravelCenters will have a simulator/show car replica of the No. 27 U.S. Postal Service machine that will be making appearances at local post offices in the Daytona area during race week.

To see an online image of the Heroes of 2001 stamp, go to www.usps.com/news/2002/philatelic/sr02_029.htm.