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NASCAR WCUP: Dale Jarrett Truly a Man About (Nike)Town

4 December 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Winston Cup champion leaves his mark on the Big Apple As he presents historic Nike driving shoes to NikeTown New York City

NEW YORK Newly crowned driving champion Dale Jarrett, in town for tonights nationally televised NASCAR Winston Cup banquet, took time out from a weeklong whirlwind media tour Wednesday night with an appearance at the local NikeTown location.

Jarrett and his 88 Yates Racing teammates were praised by Nike officials for their championship run in 1999. It was a season that featured the Aug. 5 unveiling of Nike Racing, a new line of Nike footwear designed for race-car drivers and their crews, including Jarrett and the 88 team.

Three days after that historic announcement at the Indianapolis Motor Speeway, DJ captured the checkered flag in the Brickyard 400 wearing his Air Zoom Drive Pro DJ racing shoes.

Jarrett autographed and presented those very shoes to Nike officials Wednesday night for display at NikeTown New York City. Meanwhile, Nike presented each member of Jarretts over-the-wall pit crew with a special pair of Air Sub 18.0 commemorating the title-winning effort.

"As Dale and his team have proven week after week, racing requires athleticism both behind the wheel and over the wall," said Mac McDevitt, general manager of branded athletic for Nike USA. "Nike Racing provides drivers and crews with the footwear they need to gain an important edge on race weekend, as well as enhance their training regimens during the week.

"Everyone at Nike Racing congratulates Dale and his crew for the hard work and dedication that resulted in earning the Winston Cup championship. And that goes for Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart and their Gibbs Racing team, which has enjoyed a spectacular season, as well, and is an important part of Nike Racing."

In addition to Jarrett, Nike Racing includes Labonte and his teammate, Stewart, the Winston Cup Rookie of the Year. They are joined by Adam Petty of the Busch Grand National Series, and two-time Indy 500 and CART series champion Al Unser Jr.

Continuing next season, each will wear footwear specifically designed by Nike for the rigors of driving ultra high-performance racing machines. In addition, Nike Racing will encompass much more than designing and providing athletic footwear technology for drivers. Equally integral to the Nike Racing program will be footwear designed specifically for the pit crews and garage staff.

For race day, Nike offers the Air Zoom Drive Pro DJ. Utilizing the latest in flame-retardant and protective materials, as well as Nike's proprietary "Racing Compound" outsole, these driving shoes provide the world's finest drivers the comfort, performance, and protection they need. The Air Zoom Drive Pro DJ will be available exclusively on www.nike.com beginning in February 2000.

The drivers are not the only ones with Nike footwear designed just for race-day needs. The race crews will take to the track in the Air Sub 18.0. Benefiting from nearly three years of research and development, the shoe sets the performance benchmark for race-day footwear. Nike has, in essence, created a track spike for the world of motor racing; superior low-profile cushioning, durable and protective Nomex lined upper, and most importantly, "Nike Racing Compound" outsole that provides unparalleled traction on pit road. When tenths of seconds make the difference between winner and runner-up, Nike provides the superior equipment for human performance.

Race Day is once a week, but the world of racing is 24/7, so Nike designed two shoes for the rigors of race week, as well. The Air QF-8 and the Air Pit Demon are designed with superior cushioning, comfort, and durability through the use of Nike Air cushioning, patented DRC durable rubber compound outsole and high-abrasion upper materials.

Nike has recognized the importance of superior human performance in the world of motorsports, and brings to bear 27-plus years of experience providing the best footwear to the best athletes in the world.

The familiar Nike 'Swoosh' already is no stranger throughout the pits and paddocks of NASCAR and CART events. Race teams from both series have chosen to take advantage of Nike footwear for their durability and comfort. In fact, crews wearing Nike shoes have captured nearly two dozen checkered flags the past two years.

However, these shoes, usually cross-trainers or basketball models, are not engineered specifically for the unique demands of auto racing. Next season, all that will change. The new line of performance footwear incorporates Nike's patented Air Sole technology.

"We've designed performance-enhancing footwear for world-class athletes like Michael Jordan, Ken Griffey Jr. and Mia Hamm," said Tracy Teague, creative director for footwear for Nike Racing. "With Nike Racing, we bring that same dedication to innovative design to motorsports, benefiting both the world's best drivers and teams, and millions of racing enthusiasts around the world."

NASCAR and the Indy Racing League constantly take steps to level the playing field when it comes to performance by the racing machines, which therefore puts a greater emphasis than ever on the human element. Nike Racing focuses on the humans in and around the machine, helping them perform at the peak of their ability by providing quality footwear designed for their unique athletic requirements.

For that reason, the Nike 'Swoosh' will be limited to the feet of drivers and their teams, not on their cars. Nike Racing is not an official sponsor of NASCAR, the IRL, or any other motorsports series.

Nike Inc., headquartered in Beaverton, Ore., markets its products in more than 100 countries and is the world's leading sports and fitness company.

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.