RELATED: Paint Scheme Preview: Sonoma and Gateway

The Kyle Busch Foundation has begun a new partnership with Brides Across America (BAA) for an event on June 30 during the Daytona International Speedway race weekend. 

The Daytona giveaway event will honor military members and their families with Samantha Busch designing a wedding gown for BAA, which will then be available to military brides.

Started in 2008 by Heidi Janson, Brides Across America is an organization that gives military brides, first responder brides and families of fallen soldiers a free wedding gown during a Brides Across America’s Nationwide Gown Giveaway.

“Planning a wedding can be stressful for even the most organized person,” Samantha Busch said. “Having to do that when a fiancé is deployed, or if the bride herself is in the military, just adds to the pressure. Co-hosting this event with Brides Across America is something we can do to show our thanks and appreciation for all the military men and women who sacrifice so much for us.” 

Janson, too, is happy to be partnering with the the Busch family and their foundation.

“Bringing the designer side of Samantha to BAA is an amazing opportunity for military brides,” Janson said. “BAA is honored to have Samantha bring her unique style and her attention to detail to our line of dresses, set to launch in New York City in October as part of the BAA Collection. Having Samantha’s newly-designed wedding gown as the first dress in the BAA line is very exciting and is the marquee piece in our collection.”

BAA representatives will be running the event at DIS from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and providing military and first responder brides with free gowns and headpieces. Samantha Busch will be present from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to help brides make their selections. Those who wish to be part of the giveaway event can register here.

RELATED: See the Sprint Cup Series throwback schemes

CONCORD, N.C. — Ryan Reed and Roush Fenway Racing today unveiled the throwback paint scheme that the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford Mustang will carry this September in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) race at Darlington Raceway. The No. 16 Ford Mustang will feature a design similar to the No. 16 driven by Bobby Allison in 1975, on his way to three victories, including one at Darlington Raceway.

“Bobby Allison is a true icon in this sport,” said team co-owner Jack Roush. “I’m beyond honored to have one of our cars carry a paint scheme that Bobby ran. I look forward to making him proud at Darlington Raceway later this season.”

In a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) career that spanned 25 years, Allison, the 1983 NSCS champion, earned 84 victories, 58 poles and 335 top-five finishes.  In addition, Allison led more than 27,000 laps in NSCS competition. For his success, Allison was nominated to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011.

“I can’t wait for Darlington this year,” said Allison. “It will bring back a lot of memories seeing that car out on the race track. I’m just so happy to be a part of this throwback weekend, and I wish Ryan and his Roush Fenway team luck heading into Darlington.”

Reed and Allison were at Roush Fenway on Monday to make the announcement, along with Sam Bass, who helped create the throwback adaptation of Allison’s 1975 scheme. Like Reed, Bass lives with type 1 diabetes and has been a part of the Drive to Stop Diabetes program since its inception in 2013. 

Bass, the first officially-licensed NASCAR artist, will also play a special role for the team at Darlington Raceway.  After inspection is complete on Friday of the race weekend, Bass will paint the Lilly Diabetes 140th Anniversary logo on the decklid of Reed’s No. 16 Ford.

“I’ve been honored to do some pretty amazing things during my time in NASCAR, but painting a logo “Old School” on a racecar at the track is new for me,” said Bass. “What Ryan and his team are doing in the diabetes community is really special to me and I’m honored to be included with two things I’m so passionate about — NASCAR history and diabetes awareness.”

Through the first 14 races of the NXS season, Reed has eight top-15 finishes and has led eight laps. He currently ranks 10th in the NXS point standings. In two starts at Darlington Raceway, Reed’s best finish is 13th.

“This is a really special paint scheme to me for a variety of reasons,” said Reed. “First off, it’s awesome to honor Bobby Allison — someone who’s done so much for NASCAR. But it’s also special to have Sam [Bass] as a part of the program. I’m glad they have him painting the decklid, and not me.”

Catch complete coverage of the unveil on NBC’s NASCAR America tonight, Monday June 20 at 6 p.m. ET.

Darlington Raceway‘s award-winning throwback event celebrates the history and heritage of NASCAR racing at one of the sport’s most iconic tracks. The campaign focuses on specific eras, plus the historic moments and drivers that made impacts at the track Too Tough to Tame. The Tradition Continues throwback celebration will take place on Labor Day weekend as the NASCAR XFINITY Series VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 is set for Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, airing on NBC.

Sanctioning body, agency to promote life-saving highway, vehicle safety

NASCAR and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) join forces again during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend in Sonoma to promote traffic and vehicle safety for their "Drive for Safety" campaign.

NHTSA Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind will speak on the importance of tire safety, both on and off the track. Sonoma‘s unique road course features provide an opportune backdrop to stress the benefits of proper tire maintenance, such as rotation, balance and alignment.

Dr. Rosekind will highlight that real life isn’t too different from racing when it comes to tires, offering these important tips to fans:

1. Not having enough air in your tires and failing to rotate your tires, among other maintenance requirements — can lead to a flat tire, blowout, or the tread coming off your tire. It’s estimated that about 200 people die on the road every year as the result of tire-related crashes.

2. Properly inflating your tires can save as much as 11 cents per gallon on fuel, yet only 19 percent of consumers properly inflate their tires. Four out of five consumers waste money due to underinflated tires.

3. Additional proper tire maintenance such as rotation, balance and alignment can help tires last longer and save money – properly-inflated tires can extend the average life of a tire by 4,700 miles.

In 2014, NHTSA and NASCAR entered into a five-year Memo of Understanding to promote vehicle and behavioral traffic safety. The overarching campaign — "Drive for Safety" — encompasses four program areas, including distracted driving, seat belts; tire safety and proper vehicle maintenance.