Army Racing Ryan Newman (left) and Tony Schumacher drove the U.S. Army-sponsored NASCAR and dragster respectively, and are scheduled to do the same in 2010.

‘‘Tony Schumacher and Ryan Newman are not only outstanding drivers, they are also powerful and effective advocates for the great men and women of our Army,” said Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, commanding general of U.S. Army Accessions Command. ‘‘Both drivers possess and demonstrate a passion for our Army Strong Soldiers and their families. They and their teams share our Army values and demonstrate the mental, emotional and physical strength which are the hallmark of our Soldiers. We are very excited about the opportunities our participation in the National Hot Rod Association and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series present us to tell our Soldiers’ stories and connect with Americans across the country.”

The 2010 season will mark the Army’s 10th with Don Schumacher Racing and the NHRA since its return to the sport in September 2000. Tony Schumacher has won six consecutive championships while piloting the 22-foot U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster.

Schumacher captured the NHRA Full Throttle world championship Nov. 8 during the Auto Club Finals in Pomona, Calif. (For more information, see 'Sarge’ wins NHRA championship, pledges trophy to Hood families).

The U.S. Army will serve as the primary sponsor on Schumacher’s top fuel dragster for all 23 NHRA national events and as an associate sponsor on all Don Schumacher Racing cars. In addition, the Army will return as the official military partner of the NHRA and presenting sponsor of the NHRA Youth and Education Services Program, known as Y.E.S.

In the Army’s inaugural year with Stewart-Haas Racing, Newman and the No. 39 team were able to deliver two poles and a berth in the coveted Chase for the Championship thanks to 15 top-10 finishes and a staggering lap completion rate of 99.76 percent.

Off the track, Newman and co-owner Tony Stewart have experienced Soldier greening at different Army posts, including Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Knox, Ky.; Fort Jackson, S.C.; and Fort Benning, Ga. They also visited Soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and met with the Golden Knights parachute team. It’s a partnership that extends the U.S. Army’s role as a primary sponsor since it first entered the sport in 2003.

In addition to serving as the primary sponsor for 15 races, including the Coca-Cola 600 Memorial Day weekend event at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, the U.S. Army will serve as an associate sponsor on the No. 39 car for the remaining races. The Army will also serve as an associate sponsor on Tony Stewart’s No. 14 Office Depot⁄Old Spice Chevrolet, with yearlong placement on the car’s B-post.

The U.S. Army Motorsports Program began in September 2000 when Congress directed the secretary of the Army to conduct a five-year motorsports outreach test. In 2003, building upon the success of the NHRA program, NASCAR was added. In addition to sponsorship of Newman and Schumacher, the programs include an educational outreach to high school, vo-tech and junior college students focusing on career planning, goal setting, and career opportunities in motorsports and the Army.