OFF TO THE RACES: JR Motorsports debuts No. 7 Chevrolet honoring U.S. military, Defense Commissary Agency

NOTE:To see a DeCA video related to this release, click here.

FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. - The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) hosted NASCAR Xfinity Series team JR Motorsports (JRM) at its Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia, headquarters and support center March 21.

During the visit, JRM, team sponsor Unilever, and driver Justin Allgaier unveiled a custom paint scheme on a simulator replica of the No. 7 Chevrolet that Allgaier will pilot at Richmond Raceway just north of Richmond, Virginia, March 30, featuring DeCA's logo on its hood, and its "Commissary CLICK2GO" online ordering destination shop.commissaries.com at the rear.

Unilever and JR Motorsports have worked with DeCA for a decade to publicize the military's commissary benefit, and in 2021 presented their first military-themed car sporting the DeCA logo.

Noting that history, Bob Bunch, the agency's acting deputy director, welcomed the JRM team, Allgaier and industry representatives from Unilever and OSCWEBco to the agency's headquarters. He spoke of his appreciation for their long-term relationship with commissaries.

"Now you all know that's an honor. For us to be a part of that is phenomenal. And this event, the unveiling of this year's military theme, has kind of become a tradition," Bunch said.

The team will again this year take the simulator car on a tour of U.S. military commissaries, visiting 51 stores in total.

"I tell people every day, never forget what we're about. And seeing the DeCA logo on the car speaks to that. What we do is important. And to have someone of Justin's stature represent our agency is something that, it touches my heart, and it means something to me. It's a validation of why we're here," Bunch said.

Allgaier, who is JRM's winningest driver, took a moment to speak about his own sense of pride in driving a car that represents an important benefit afforded to the men and women of the U.S. military.

"You know, we discuss in our race shop a lot about people. People are what makes the world go around," Allgaier said. "We have a lot of really cool race cars, and there's a lot of really shiny parts on those race cars, but at the end of the day, it's the people that put them together. It's the people that make the parts. It's the people that take them to the race track and service them. It's about people, and what DeCA does for the military community and their families truly is special.

"We love to be able to promote this on the race track, but we also want you guys to know that we're with you 365 days of the year," Allgaier continued. "Know that next weekend we're going to go to the racetrack and have a lot of fun, and we're going to do our best to get you guys back to victory lane!"

NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is a co-owner of JR Motorsports along with his sister Kelly Earnhardt Miller and Rick Hendrick, took time to record a special video message for the unveiling to offer his thoughts on their long-standing relationship with DeCA.

"We're proud to have the DeCA logo represented on Justin Allgaier's No. 7 Chevrolet once again in 2024. We had great success last season going to victory lane in Charlotte, and I can't wait to see the DeCA Chevrolet on the track again this year at Richmond," Earnhardt said. "Two hundred and thirty-five commissaries help sustain military communities across the globe by ensuring food security through significant savings, healthy food options, clean and safe stores, convenience and premier customer service. Collectively, each and every one of you - Team DeCA - contributes to family readiness, enhances the quality of life of America's military and their families, and helps retain and recruit the best and brightest men and women to serve their country."

Following the car's unveiling, Allgaier remained on site to greet agency employees, pose for photos with fans, sign autographs and show off his ride.

As Bunch noted, "Serving those who serve. Folks, it doesn't get any better than this."

Schedule of remaining commissary appearances for the JR Motorsports No. 7 NASCAR Xfinity Series Simulator Car replica:

March

28 - Fort Eustis, Virginia

April

1 - Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia; 2 - Fort Belvoir, Virginia; 3 - Fort Myer, Virginia; 4 - Andrews Air Force Base, Virginia; 5 - Fort Meade, Maryland; 8 - McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey; 10 - Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; 15 - Fort Knox, Kentucky; 16 - Fort Campbell, Kentucky; 18 - Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; 20 - Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; 23 - Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; 24 - Fort Riley, Kansas; 26 - Fort Carson, Colorado; 27 - Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado

May

7 - Hill Air Force Base, Utah; 10 - McChord Air Force Base, Washington; 11 - Fort Lewis, Washington; 15 - Travis Air Force Base, California; 17 - March Air Reserve Base, California; 20-21 - Naval Base San Diego, California; 22 - Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California; 23 - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton; 25-27 - Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; 29 - Luke Air Force Base, Arizona; 31 - Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona

June

3-4 - Fort Bliss, Texas; 6 - Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; 10 - Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, 12 - Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas; 14 - Fort Cavazos (Clear Creek), Texas; 24 - Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; 25 - Fort Sam Houston, Texas; 26 - Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; 29 - Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi

July

1 - Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida; 2 - Hurlburt Field, Florida; 3 - Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; 5 - MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; 15 - Patrick Space Force Base, Florida; 16 - Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida; 18 - Fort Moore, Georgia; 20 - Fort Eisenhower, Georgia; 23 - Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; 24 - Fort Liberty North, North Carolina; 25 - Fort Liberty South, North Carolina

-DeCA-

About DeCA:The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America's military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.