The Army National Guard will continue its involvement in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008 with a 21-race primary sponsorship of the No. 5 Chevrolets with drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Landon Cassili.

JR Motorsports in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports will field the team.

Cassili, 18, will pilot 19 events in the No. 5 National Guard car, starting Feb. 23 at California Speedway.

Earnhardt will drive the "Guard Car" in the Feb. 16 season opener at Daytona International Speedway and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 15. The Guard is also among the primary sponsors of Earnhardt's No. 88 entry in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, stock-car racing's premier division.

Both Guard NASCAR efforts serve as recruiting and retention tools.

© 2008 National Guard Association of the United States Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.