Trucking Moves America Forward and Industry Mascot to be Featured on The Pilot Flying J Chevrolet in NASCAR Race on August 21

Brooklyn, M.I. – August 10 – Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF), an education and image movement to bring awareness to the importance of the trucking industry, announced today it will be a featured brand on the No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series event at the Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, August 21. The industry mascot, “Safety Sammy” will also be in the grandstands prior to the race from 10 AM to 3:30 PM to greet race fans.

Pilot Flying J invited TMAF to be part of their racecar branding which will feature the TMAF logo and #ThankATrucker campaign social media hashtag to support education about the trucking industry and demonstrate support for America’s 3.6 million professional truck drivers. TMAF’s industry mascot, Safety Sammy, will be featured on the rear of the car waving to the crowd. Today, JR Motorsports will officially reveal the vinyl wrap of the TMAF branded No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet at https://www.jrmracing.com/ and on the @JRMotorsports social channels.

Kevin Burch, co-chairman of TMAF, former ATA Chair and vice president of sales and governmental affairs at Martin Transportation Systems (MTS)said, “Presenting the #ThankATrucker message on The Pilot Flying J Chevrolet is a new and exciting opportunity to spread the industry message of essentiality on a national stage. We thank Pilot Flying J, one of TMAF’s first and most steadfast financial supporters since our launch, for providing TMAF with the opportunity to expand our reach and show why it’s important to show gratitude for America’s truck drivers.”

During TMAF’s inception in 2013, Pilot Flying J was a launch supporter and has continued its strong involvement in the organization by contributing a total of $3 million over the last seven years and with Wendy Hamilton, senior manager of Operations and Support for Pilot Company, serving as a TMAF board member. This year, Pilot Flying J is donating $150,000 to TMAF along with the in-kind sponsorship of the TMAF branded No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet.

“The men and women of the trucking industry are heroes. They are the heartbeat of our supply chain and we are thankful every day for their dedication to delivering the goods that we all depend on,” said Hamilton. “Pilot Flying J is grateful to TMAF for shining a light on the importance of professional drivers and the industry. We are proud to showcase how essential trucking is by bringing TMAF to the track on the No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet and hope it helps raise appreciation for all that professional drivers do to keep the country moving.”

TMAF was established to educate the motoring public and lawmakers on how critical the trucking industry is to America’s economy and vitality. The movement includes educational marketing, advertising and public relations activities with industry facts and research, personal stories of truck drivers and industry personnel, safety programs, highway safety and an industry mascot. Since TMAF’s inception seven years ago, the public’s perception of the trucking industry has shifted in a positive direction. More Americans have recognized the essentially of trucking and the vital role of America’s truck drivers in keeping our country safe and secure. As support for trucking has increased, the movement to #ThankATrucker has also flourished nationwide.

As part of TMAF’s presence at the Michigan International Speedway on August 21, the organization has also secured the display of two billboards that will be seen on US-12, both east and west, heading into and out of the speedway to promote the appearance of mascot Safety Sammy at the race and #TruckingIsEssential.

The August race comes about a month before the annual National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which this year is September 12-18, 2021. TMAF’s industrywide #ThankATrucker campaign has been one of the movement’s signature education campaigns, which deploys digital and traditional advertising and marketing activities that include messages of gratitude for truck drivers’ steadfast service 24-7, 365 days a year. To learn more about TMAF and the movement’s work, visit https://live-trucking-moves-america.pantheonsite.io/.

Pilot Flying J, the industry-leading network of travel centers in North America, has been the primary sponsor for JR Motorsports No. 1 for five consecutive years. The No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet is driven by Michael Annett who is now competing in his fifth season with JR Motorsports.

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About Trucking Moves America Forward

Trucking Moves America Forward aims to establish a long-term industry-wide movement to create a positive image for the industry, to ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation’s economy, and to build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future. To learn more, visit https://live-trucking-moves-america.pantheonsite.io/. Also join and follow TMAF through social media, on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Medium.

About Pilot Flying J

Pilot Flying J, the largest network of travel centers in North America, is committed to connecting people and places with comfort, care and a smile at every stop. The Pilot Flying J Travel Center network includes over 750 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces with more than 680 restaurants, 74,000 truck parking spaces, 5,300 deluxe showers, 6,200 diesel lanes and provides truck maintenance and tire service through Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J. More details on locations and amenities are available in the myRewards Plus^TM app. Visit www.pilotflyingj.com for more information.

Pilot Flying J is part of the Pilot Company family of brands. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Company is currently ranked No. 10 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies. For additional information about Pilot Company, its 28,000 team members and commitment to giving back, visit www.pilotcompany.com.