NASCAR launches additional environmental initiatives

UPDATE As racing season shifts gears into April, NASCAR is launching two programs further bolstering the sustainability efforts the sanctioning body, industry, and a wide range of partners have in place to help reduce the sport's carbon footprint. Headlining the month-long NASCAR Green initiative leading up to Earth Day and Arbor Day are two signature programs designed to help drive more sustainable behavior within the sport. NASCAR Race to Green will galvanize teams, tracks, drivers, Official NASCAR Partners, and most importantly fans, around the theme of protecting and preserving our environment. The NASCAR Green Clean Air Tree Planting Program Delivered by UPS will plant trees to absorb carbon emissions equivalent to all of the racing in NASCAR's three national series for the entire season. One mature tree over the course of its lifetime absorbs about one metric ton of carbon dioxide, the same amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a NASCAR Sprint Cup car driving 500 miles.

NASCAR Race to Green includes a call-to-action for fans and the industry to pledge trees that will be planted across the country as well as in a number of areas recently devastated by natural disasters. As presenting sponsor of the NASCAR Green Clean Air Tree Planting Program, UPS has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to commit to plant more than 8,000 trees – including 90 in each market where the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races for the remainder of 2013. Additionally, UPS will serve as presenting sponsor for the NASCAR Green Summit later this fall. NASCAR

04/02/13 NASCAR today will announce two NASCAR Green initiatives that will run throughout April leading up to Earth Day and Arbor Day. The NASCAR Race To Green effort will encourage fans and companies to donate trees, especially in areas recently hit by natural disaster. The program is aided by a partnership with Arbor Day Foundation, as is the other April initiative: the NASCAR Green Clean Air Tree Planting Program Delivered by UPS. NASCAR and UPS will host an event kicking off the program Friday at Martinsville Speedway.

Meanwhile, Shell and the Common Ground Alliance for a fifth consecutive season are leveraging Shell's Penske Racing sponsorship to raise awareness for 811, the national “Call Before You Dig" hotline. As in previous years, Penske's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series No. 22 Ford Fusion will carry the 811 logo during National Safe Digging Month in April. The program this year includes seven races. THE DAILY