Get up to speed on the BSA’s new NASCAR team

BSA driver Scott Lagasse Jr.
BSA driver Scott Lagasse Jr.

Do your Scouts like fast cars? Do I even have to ask?

Let’s face it: Getting your guys to tune in and cheer on the BSA’s No. 8 car at this weekend’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race won’t be too tough. It’s like asking if they want seconds of your Dutch oven cobbler.

No doubt your guys and girls will be revved up about the chance to see Scott Lagasse Jr. take the wheel of the No. 8 HybridLight BSA car in Saturday’s race. It’s our first look at the BSA Chevy this year.

But your job is to steer your Scouts’ enthusiasm for racing into something that’ll benefit your unit long-term.

I’m talking about recruiting, retention, and racing’s ties to STEM — science, technology, engineering, and math. Learn some more facts about the BSA-NASCAR relationship in my post from September. And stay tuned for more details about how BSA Racing will support your Scouting efforts.

Meanwhile, don’t miss Saturday’s race. Here are the details: 

  • What: The Drive4COPD 300 NASCAR Nationwide race
  • Where: The legendary Daytona International Speedway.
  • When/TV: The race airs at 1 p.m. (Eastern) Saturday on ESPN.
  • Who: Scott Lagasse Jr., who drives the No. 8 HybridLight BSA car. Just look for the BSA fleur-de-lis.

What’s BSA Racing?

Last year, BSA Racing announced it was adding the NASCAR Nationwide Series to its lineup that already included a Dale Coyne Racing IndyCar. The cars, both emblazoned with that distinctive fleur-de-lis, form a one-two racing punch and increase Scouting’s national exposure.

But there’s a lot more to BSA Racing than watching our logo do laps around an oval. The cars provide a platform to promote science, technology, and math to those involved in Scouting.

In past blog posts about BSA Racing, some commenters intimated that the Boy Scouts of America was investing heaps of its own money to support these cars. That’s not true. In fact, the program is a royalty-free arrangement, meaning that thanks to the generous support of Dale Coyne Racing, IndyCar, and Scott Lagasse Racing, there’s no cash investment from the BSA.

Instead, in return for the support from those three groups, the BSA lists them as national sponsors in its promotional materials — that’s it. It’s the kind of relationship where everyone sees the checkered flag.

2013 schedule

Make plans to watch or attend some NASCAR Nationwide Series races this season. Races highlighted in blue are ones where the BSA car is scheduled to appear.

nascar-2013schedule

More photos

nascar-5

Scott Lagasse Jr. gives a lucky Webelos Scout a ride to school in his car.
Scott Lagasse Jr. gives a lucky Webelos Scout a ride to school in his car.

nascar-3 nascar-2


Photos by Roger Morgan/BSA


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.