Water Safety Dog Bobber takes message to Kentucky Speedway NASCAR truck series race

LOUISVILLE, Ky. --The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host an autograph signing with race car driver Johnny Chapman at Kentucky Speedway Thursday, June 28 from 2 -3 p.m. at the park rangers’ water safety booth space on the concourse. Booth hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Army Corps of Engineers has a vehicle it promotes during the NASCAR truck series, the Water Safety - Wear Your Gear Truck. Johnny Chapman is the driver. He races during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NCWTS UNOH 225 June 28 at Kentucky Speedway’s 7:30 p.m. race.

The autograph signing will take place at the Army Corps of Engineers water safety exhibit space at the track’s concourse. Army Corps of Engineers park rangers will be showing a variety of life jackets at the booth. The Army Corps of Engineers water safety theme for the racing season is, “Just like your favorite drivers wears their protective gear when they are racing, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants you to wear your gear when you are on our nation’s waterways; that is, your life jacket.”

To help promote water safety at the NASCAR event, Friends of Rough River Lake and Renegade Marine, Leitchfield, Ky., have donated two state-of-the-art auto-inflatable life jackets which will be signed by NASCAR drivers and their teams; and raffled off just before driver introductions Thursday early in the evening. To register for the drawing, sign up at the Corps water safety booth.

The Army Corps of Engineers operates 20 lakes in the Ohio River Basin where the public swims, boats and engages in other recreation.

Water safety lessons: Wear a life jacket – don’t just carry one on board.  Ensure it is Coast Guard approved and appropriately sized.  It only takes 10 seconds to put on a life jacket and that 10 seconds could save your life! Boaters - Boaters should take safety classes, be familiar with governing state laws, wear a life jacket, and have proper safety equipment onboard before boating. Check the weather forecast.  File a float plan with family or friends who are not on the vessel.  Swimming - Know Your Limits.  Don't take chances by over-estimating your swimming skills, and swim only in designated areas.  Never dive into lakes and rivers.  Never swim alone.