Barr-Nunn
Granger, IA-The 2005 NASCAR season is officially underway and what a great start for Barr-Nunn Transportation as an associate sponsor of the Labonte-Haas Motorsports Coast Guard #44 Chevrolet Barr-Nunn Company Driver Mike Coles, driver of tractor #1299 and Barr-Nunn Owner Operator, Gerald Schuman, who operates his tractor #236 were at the races and enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience as the first two of many Barr-Nunn drivers and owner operators to enjoy the races in a very unique way this year.
As part of the associate sponsorship agreement with Labonte-Haas Motorsports, Barr-Nunn will be rewarding safe drivers & owner operators, drivers and owner operators who participate in the referral program, and others the exciting opportunity to see NASCAR races from the pits, to spend time in the garage area, to meet Justin Labonte, and to even be part of the racing team for selected races this year. The next race Barr-Nunn will participate in will be in the Atlanta Race in March.
For Daytona, Mike and Gerald were flown by the company to Daytona Beach, FL and were there, accompanied by Recruiting Director Doug Albrecht, from February 17th through February 20th. Highlights of the trip included the chance to watch the Craftsman Truck Series Florida Dodge Dealer 250, the International Race of Champions and, of course, the Busch Series Hershey’s TAKE 5 300.
When asked his experience, owner operator, Gerald Schuman noted, “It was a one-time experience. We were right there to see it. On Mondays, everyone is on the radio talking about NASCAR, and I can tell them that I saw the racing up close, learned a lot about the racing technology, and met Justin Labonte, Terry Labonte, and even Justin’s mom and sister. The Labonte family is tremendous. We were greeted warmly, nobody ignored us, and we were treated nicely the whole time.” Gerald went on to say, “NASCAR racing is the number two sport in the nation, and I never could have taken the time and money to make this trip. If it weren’t for Barr-Nunn, this once-in-a-lifetime experience would never have happened.
Mike Coles was equally impressed, stating, “Before I went to the races, I wasn’t much of a race fan or even that interested in racing, but after spending time at the races with a Barr-Nunn owner operator, Gerald Schuman, and the Director of Recruiting, Doug Albrecht, I can see how great this deal is. There were seats at the track going for $2500.00 or for $5000.00, and those people didn’t even get an experience anywhere close to as good as mine. I was there, seeing the drivers walking by, meeting our race driver, Justin Labonte, and doing things that others just never get the chance to do.”
Mike went on to note, “After the race, I happened to be in Granger and introduced myself to Rene Beacom, the President of Barr-Nunn. He asked how everything went, and I told him that this deal makes sense to me now. On a scale of 1-10, I went thinking it would be a 2, but I came back seeing that as far as a business idea, this concept is an 8.
These race trips, seeing the hauler trailer, being part of a great NASCAR team and everything that goes with it, should go a lot further for our company than a magazine ad every could. “
Doug Albrecht, Barr-Nunn’s Director of Truck Driver Recruiting and the person who orchestrated the trip, was very pleased with Gerald’s and Mike’s reaction. Doug said, “We moved some of the recruiting budget in 2005 from magazine advertising and some of the other same old ways of trying to reach the high quality drivers that we’re looking for to our sponsorship with Labonte-Haas Motorsports. We feel that all of the advertising and marketing opportunities available with this high-class racing team will work very well in helping us to get the message that with Barr-Nunn, the difference is real.
Doug added, “Racing is fun and a great way to spread the word about our excellent Company, but our real job at Barr-Nunn is to provide our drivers and owner operators with the best miles, best home time, and the best pay package that we can in an environment of mutual respect and teamwork. That is what we commit to doing. The Difference IS Real at Barr-Nunn!!”
