When Alex Palou received pole on the Indianapolis 500, setting the quickest four-lap common in historical past at 234.217 miles per hour, his thoughts was set on one thing greater than a high beginning place for “The Greatest Stunt in Racing”.
Throughout an interview with NBC Sports activities after it was over, he regarded into the digital camera and stated one thing that resonated along with his major sponsor, the American Legion.
“This one at this time is for each veteran in the USA,” Palou stated.
Alex Palou poses after profitable pole place for the Indianapolis 500. (Ganassi Chip Racing)
Racing sponsors intention to promote a product, be it motor oil, tires or delicate drinks. However Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing have the American Legion bandage on the No. 1 Honda. Their 10 that claims “Be The One” on the facet and the spoiler.
It is an necessary message that hit even more durable on Memorial Day weekend in Indianapolis.
In the USA, 17 veterans kill themselves on daily basis. The American Legion’s “Be The One” marketing campaign desires to not solely decrease that quantity however eradicate veteran suicide.
Palou, who was born in Spain and has lived in the USA for under 4 years, admits that he’s not very comfy being the face of an impactful group for veterans as a result of “I’ve by no means had a member of the family who’s a veteran.”
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Nevertheless, tales from folks on his group and studying extra concerning the mission rapidly modified his thoughts.
“It is nice to know that we have now some veterans on our group, they usually can actually clarify what they are going via, what associates are going via and actually ship the message that we need to maintain and what our priorities are. It isn’t for promoting motor oil or any merchandise. It is to avoid wasting veterans’ lives,” Palou advised Fox Information Digital forward of the 107th Indy 500.
“It is arduous to grasp when you do not have the expertise of somebody near you. However, to be trustworthy, [the team] makes it a lot simpler to grasp. From then on, it was like, ‘Okay, we have to assist folks.’ If we may help make sure that racing followers are conscious of the ‘Be The One’ initiative, that they’ll get assist, that everybody may help somebody.”
It was additionally necessary for Chip Ganassi, whose father fought in World Conflict II.
American Legion Government Director Dean Kessel describes the “Be The One” marketing campaign to Fox Information Digital.
Alex Palou and his American Legion group rejoice profitable pole on the Indianapolis 500. (Ganassi Chip Racing)
“Our complete objective with what we did with ‘Be The One’ was to remove the stigma of asking for assist,” she explains. “That is the No. 1 difficulty with veterans whether or not searching for psychological assist or after they have suicidal ideas. It is okay to not be okay. We wish to have the ability to de-stigmatize the message round that.”
The American Legion has been round for 104 years, and Kessel reveals how the group has been instrumental within the creation of the GI Invoice, which gave World Conflict II veterans entry to free tuition, mortgage help, and extra, in addition to compensation for Vietnam veterans uncovered to the Agent. Orange.
At the moment, says Kessel, “well being and suicide, particularly,” are the most important points dealing with veterans getting back from post-9/11 excursions and Afghanistan, which is how the “Be The One” marketing campaign took place.
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“The phrase itself has lots of intentional that means. The explanation we use the phrase ‘one’, we do not need to discuss concerning the 17 individuals who die on daily basis. We need to discuss concerning the ones we are able to save at this time,” Kessel stated. “When you maintain it at this time, it goes down by default.
“Second, we need to use motion verbs. … Be the one who talks to veterans, be the one who listens to veterans, be the one who works regionally together with your legal guidelines to assist veterans points, be the one who hires veterans.”
Automotive No.
The win, together with 4 top-five finishes and 5 top-10 finishes, noticed Palou lead the IndyCar Collection in factors with 174 factors. With Indianapolis because the headquarters of the American Legion, the win meant loads to the group as members watched their males cross the end line and maintain the trophy on the finish of the race. That very same feeling got here when he polished this week.
“You’ve gotten all of this energy at one time,” Kessel stated of this weekend’s Indy 500. “We’re an Indianapolis-based group. That is Memorial weekend. We’re the American Legion with our huge affect throughout the nation. And for Alex not solely to win the pole, however he received final week’s race main as much as the pole on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Now to be in that place for the most important race on the earth is an exceptional coincidence for us.”
Palou hopes to take action once more Sunday, and never simply preserve his spot on the high of the factors column.
“To win on Memorial Day weekend with the American Legion in Indianapolis, I believe that may be big for the American Legion, for us on the racing facet, after all. However we can unfold the ‘Be The One’ initiative much more. ,” he stated.
Alex Palou poses with the trophy after profitable pole place on the Indianapolis 500. (Ganassi Chip Racing)
“I will do every thing I can to get that No. 10 automotive on observe for victory.”