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Left to Right: Jim Hagale, President - Bass Pro Shops; Bill Dance, Professional Angler and Celebrity; Johnny Morris, Founder - Bass Pro Shops; Rob Keck, CEO - National Wild Turkey Federation; Steve Williams, Director - USFWS;
Kneeling: Race Winner Jimmie Johnson |
Honoring the Refuge System in a Big Way
Driver Jimmie
Johnson couldn't carry the eight-foot trophy, dedicated to National
Wildlife Refuge System founder Theodore Roosevelt when he won
his third straight NASCAR race on Oct. 31. He drove at the Atlanta
Motor Speedway during the Bass Pro Shops MBNA Atlanta 500 NASCAR,
which was dedicated to the National Wildlife Refuge System.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Steve Williams presented the massive commemorative trophy, commissioned by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, who said, "Dedicating this race to the Refuge System honors the conservation commitment of sportsmen and women across the country."
Johnson beat Mark Martin by 0.293 seconds – about five car lengths – to become the first driver in six years to win three straight races.
Artist Mike Curtis created the trophy, which features two bronze bald eagles, each with a 42-inch wingspan, tussling over a wild trout. The bronze eagles perch atop a walnut base inlaid with U.S. Mint medallions commemorating the Refuge System's 100th anniversary in 2003.
Bass Pro Shops is a popular outdoor retailer known for not only
its commitment to the outdoors and the Refuge System. Indeed,
as some of its 21 retail stores have opened in recent years, the
retailer has contributed a portion of opening day receipts to
wildlife habitat conservation within the Refuge System.
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