Blk3GM's NASCAR Winston Cup News - Navy Sailor to Re-Enlist with a Little Help from Dale Earnhardt

Local Navy Sailor to Re-Enlist with a Little Help from Dale Earnhardt

June 22, 1999 - SONOMA, CA

SONOMA, Calif. - Navy Senior Chief Anthony Melendez has certainly ventured the creative route in deciding to re-enlist in the United States Navy for four more years.

Melendez, a Concord resident and father of three, will fulfill a life-long dream - and at the same time, begin to fulfill another four-year contract in the Navy.

Melendez, a Stockton native, will raise his right hand and take the oath of enlistment administered by Navy Commander Ray Turner alongside Dale Earnhardt’s #3 GM Goodwrench Services Chevrolet show car during the Save Mart/Kragen 350 NASCAR Weekend at Sears Point Raceway, June 24-27. The ceremony will take place on Sunday morning, June 27, just hours before the race next to the GM Hospitality tent.

A devout fan of NASCAR for more than 20 years, Melendez saw this as a perfect opportunity to showcase the ideals shared by NASCAR and the military.

"This is truly a dream come true for me and will be the climax of my Navy career," Melendez said. "I have served my country honorably for more than 20 years, and I admire the ‘grass roots’ beliefs of the people of NASCAR. I thought it would be a great gesture for the race track (and the nation) to see a local boy re-enlist in the Navy for the last four years of his military career."

Melendez has attended the last six NASCAR events at Sears Point but has never had a chance to stand alongside one of the most recognizable cars in motorsports. He will live that dream on June 27.

"I’ve been a big fan of the ‘Intimidator’ for most of his career," Melendez said. "That’s always been the car I've rooted for."

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