When spring finally rolls around, servicemembers are being invited to Evergreen Speedway to watch the Air Force tribute car, owned and operated by Boyatt Racing, speed around the track and compete in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series.

"We run the super late model now - which means more motor, more speed and more money," said Rusty Boyatt, team owner.

Boyatt Racing, formed in 2010, is comprised of family and friends with a passion for the sport and they have raced the car from Montana to Oregon and every track in between.

The car, a Chevy Impala SS, is emblazoned with the #10 and dedicated to the United States Air Force. It competes in the Super Late Model series of races, along with other cars representing the various military branches.

"When the track asked if we'd run a military tribute car, of course we agreed," shared Boyatt, who served in the Army for six years. His father and father-in-law both served too, so the decision to be a symbol for a branch of the armed forces was an easy one.  

Boyatt's son, John, is the driver and has been behind the wheel since he was 16. Last season, he guided the Air Force tribute car to a 10th place finish in points. The younger Boyatt has also accrued 10 career wins and 15 top-five finishes, as well as being named the 2007 Coors Lite Open Champion, Limited Late Model Racing Series Season Points Champion for 2007 and 2008 and the 2008 Pepsi Bottling Company 100 Champion.

Races run from April through September, primarily on Saturday nights, and include the two-day Summer Showdown event in June. In order to further support the local military community, Evergreen Speedway is also offering free admission to every active-duty servicemember that shows their ID at the gates this season.

The first race of the year for the Air Force tribute car will be April 5 and following that, a racing schedule can be found on the Boyatt Racing Facebook page (www.facebook.com/pages/Boyatt-Racing/461713317247239). Currently, there are a dozen races this season that will feature SLM cars.  

Despite its markings, however, the tribute car is not funded or endorsed by the Department of Defense or the Air Force; Boyatt Racing is self-funded and sponsored by local businesses, such as Northwest Door, Inc. in Puyallup. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Boyatt Racing via chevyguy-slm10@hotmail.com.

"We just want to get the word out that this car exists and that it is dedicated to the men and women serving in the Air Force, right on Joint Base Lewis-McChord," Boyatt concluded.

Evergreen Speedway is at 14405 179th Ave. SE in Monroe. Once the 2014 season commences, standings for Boyatt Racing can be viewed at www.evergreenspeedway.com/point-standings/super-late-models.