It's one thing to watch these guys on television and even from the grand stands, but it's simply an overwhelming experience to work next to each and every one of these crew members."

These were the sentiments of the latest Northeastern Supply Company Honorary Pit Crew member, Rich Foard, following his experience on June 3, 2000, at Dover Downs International Speedway.

Foard was selected at random from a long list of Northeastern Supply Company customers who entered the firm's "Ultimate NASCAR Experience" contest. The contest was open to all Northeastern Supply customers who had the opportunity to enter their name in the contest during the month of May. If the customers also purchased $100 or more of products from any Northeastern branch, their name was submitted again, increasing their chances of winning.

The grand prize? The opportunity to serve as an Honorary Pit Crew Member with Rick Rathbun's Team Marines Racing #53 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by second-year standout, Hank Parker, Jr. Northeastern Supply Company is an associate sponsor of the team for the 2000 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series season.

"I'm a huge race fan," said Foard, who is president of Service by Ridge, a subsidiary of Blue Dot, located in Bel Air, MD. "I drove motorcycles as a professional for a few years and had experienced quite a bit during that period of time. Nothing, however, compared to the experience I had working in the pits alongside some of the best mechanics and pit crewmen in the world. My only regret is that the car wasn't able to finish the race," Foard said, alluding to the early exit from the race by Parker and his Team Marines Chevy following an accident in turn two, just 30 laps into the race. Parker finished a disappointing 41st after qualifying 13th.

Among the varied duties that Foard performed as a Crew Member of Team Marines was helping to set up the pit area for the race and hauling the team's gasoline wagon to and from the pits and Unocal 76 gas pumps in the Busch Series garage area.

"Everyone knows just how big NASCAR is, and just how good the drivers and teams are. You can't really appreciate just how hard these guys work, though, unless you're in the trenches with them. I'd love to do this again in the future," Foard added.

Serving as Honorary Pit Crew Member for Hank Parker, Jr. and his Rick Rathbun's Team Marines/Northeastern Supply Company-sponsored organization was the culminating element to Foard's race weekend experience. Foard attended Friday afternoon's practice and qualifying sessions, rubbed elbows with members of both the Hank Parker, Jr. and Jason Keller Excedrin/State Water Heater-sponsored #57 Busch Series race teams during a private Friday evening cookout at the track, and received pit and garage area passes for the entire weekend.

He was also one of more than 150 guests of Northeastern Supply Company entertained during the company's pre-race hospitality program prior to Saturday's Busch Grand National Series race.

"It was a wonderful experience; one that anyone who has a love for racing should have the chance to do. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity," Foard said.

Rain Can't Dampen Honorary Pit Crew
Experience for Brian Frederick

Brian Frederick refused to allow a rainy morning to dampen his experience as an Honorary Pit Crew member for driver Hank Parker, Jr. and his Rick Rathbun's Team Marines Racing Team at Dover Downs International Speedway on September 23.

Frederick, one of the proprietors of Joseph Frederick & Sons Plumbing and Heating in Wilmington, DE, was the lucky Northeastern Supply Company customer who had his name randomly drawn from a host of eligible customers in Northeastern's very popular Ultimate NASCAR Experience promotion. He served as an Honorary Pit Crewman for Parker's #53 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series team that worked hard in helping Parker post a solid 12th place finish in the nationally televised event.

Customers who signed on to Northeastern's Online Account Service were automatically eligible for the contest, and each time a customer ordered $100 or more on line, they had their names put into the selection bin again. Frederick became the fourth customer to have the privilege of serving in such a capacity for a major league stock car race team.

"I was pretty stunned but also excited when I received word that I had been selected," Frederick explained. "I had some idea what to expect in becoming a crew member for the race, but I honestly came away with a lot more respect for how hard these guys work and how much they mean to the driver. I truly enjoyed the experience," added Frederick, who raced motorcycles during his youth.

Frederick "ran gas" for Team Marines, working with gasman Frank Urcho in getting and then transporting fuel from the Unocal 76 pumps in the garage area to the pits and then preparing the special fuel cans that dispense fuel to the racecar. "This is certainly a team game, and I will have a much deeper respect for these race crews from here on out," Frederick said.

Frederick, who wore a Team Marines Racing team uniform during the race, received full pit and garage area access passes for both the Busch Grand National and Winston Cup Series as part of his experience. He also attended a private motor home cookout on Friday night hosted by Northeastern Supply that featured appearances and autographs by a bunch of racing celebrities.

Amongst the celebrities attending the event were Hank Parker, Jr., Hank's famous fisherman father and well-known TV show host Hank Parker, Sr. who owns the race team, current second place Busch Grand National Series and #57 Excedrin Racing Busch Series driver Jason Keller, and crew members of both drivers' teams.

Frederick also was eligible to win a $10,000 cash prize from the Northeastern Supply Company if Hank Parker, Jr. had won the MBNA.com 200 Busch Series race at Dover. A crowd estimated at 60,000 watched the event despite the gloomy weather that forced a 45-minute delay to its start but never returned.

Dear Steve Cook, Just a line to express my sincere appreciation for the Ultimate NASCAR Experience provided by Northeastern Supply on Friday, September 22 and 23, at Dover Downs International Speedway. To say the least, the experience was wonderful. Your staff, Mr. Rubenstein, and the entire Team Marine crew made me feel as though I was a part of what happened on Saturday. Hank Parker Jr. turned a mediocre car into a top 20 car with a great crew, congratulations. Your staff is wonderful. Ed at the RV took everything in stride, and he knew what he was doing from the time I arrived in the morning Friday, to the post race organization of the campground on Saturday afternoon. Steve Coppage and the staff at the pavilion always made the customer feel special, and as you well know, customers remember being treated special. Steve, you have a great organization. Keep building on the loyalty of the customer and continue building off of that. Great job and thanks again!!! Regards, Brian J. Frederick General Manager R.S. Andrews of Wilmington Joseph Frederick & Sons Inc.