 "Photo: Rick Haye | For The Parthenon")
Gov. Joe Manchin and Marshall University unveiled the new Marshall-themed stock car to the public Thursday afternoon.
Cameras started flashing when the rumbling car made its way around the Capitol grounds when the media and public got to take their first look.
The idea of the Marshall University racecar was brought to university President Stephen Kopp's attention four months ago and has become a fast-moving project.
"It literally sounded like one of those ideas that was too good to be true," said Bill Bissett, Marshall University's director of communications. "But I can tell you today we are going to see the finished result of that hard work. When this idea happened we were very excited because we believe that this project is going to do the same thing for Marshall, in a very similar way, that the 'We Are… Marshall' film did. In other words, it's going to take the message of Marshall University to a whole new audience."
The green and white Dodge Charger is adorned with sponsor stickers, but the Marshall logo is on the hood and the number 75 is on the doors and the top of the car inMarshall green.
"Number 75 is pretty special to all of us," Manchin said. "(It) is very synonymous with us and West Virginia and the Marshall University campus. It represents the tragic loss of our football team and our supporters in the Marshall University crash. And with that, out of respect for Marshall University and the state, I think it's a tremendous tribute to Marshall University."
The driver will be Barboursville native Brett Rowe. He is a former ARCA Lincoln Welder Truck Series national champion and the 2004 Rookie of the Year.
"We're really excited about this," Rowe said. "We can't wait to get this thing out on the track. It's a wonderful opportunity for the state of West Virginia and Marshall University and local business all around here."
The majority shareholders and owners of Herd Racing, LLC, are Dana and Tonya Tomes, both Marshall University graduates. Both hope to enhance their community and alma mater, according to a news release from the university.
The Tomes family approached Marshall to ask for permission to use the school's logo and sponsorship materials. The partnership is being provided at no cost to the school and will bring Marshall into a new group of people who would have otherwise not known about the school.
It's like a dream come true," said Rowe. "I think it's going to be a wonderful thing. Not only does it honor the 75 members lost in the plane crash, but (it will help with) the enrollment and everything. We hope to help everything at Marshall and the state of West Virginia. Hopefully, we'll get this going and we're going to have our own shop right here. We're going to have employment. It's going to be a positive thing all around."
The car may race as soon at March 15 in the Sharpie Mini 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Emily Spurlock can be contacted at emily.spurlock@marshall.edu.
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