NRA Beeman Honorary Chairman Named
FAIRFAX, VA.- The NRA-Beeman Grand Prix Championship, which has become the nation's premier tour for marksmen with disabilities, has named Jeff Hammond as its 2007 Honorary Chairman.

A regular television commentator at NASCAR NEXTEL Cup stock car racing events, FX and the Speed Channel.

Before joining Fox Sports, Hammond was a very successful crew chief for the racing team owned by the legendary Junior Johnson. While with Johnson, the team won 43 major races and accounted for two Winston Cup Championships with Darrell Waltrip as the driver.

Hammond is an enthusiastic hunter and outdoorsman, with a keen appreciation for the efforts of the more than one million sportsmen who enjoy shooting sports activities while being challenged by a disability. His respect for achievements of the NRA-Beeman marksmen mirrors that of the previous tour's honorary chairmen, such as Television Hall of Fame member Jerry Mathers, star of the long-running "Leave it to Beaver" show.

In 2002, the year that he won the Daytona 500, NASCAR driver Ward Burton served as the NRA-Beeman Honorary Chairman. Burton is also a dedicated sportsman, conservationist and educator, through his Ward Burton Wildlife Federation. 

The most recent honorary chairman was Doug Koenig, who is considered to be one of the greatest action pistol marksmen of all time.

The NRA-Beeman Grand Prix Championship was developed in 1997 by Dave Baskin, manager of the National Rifle Association's Disabled Shooting Services, for the purpose of providing a quality shooting sports opportunity for the nation's large disabled population. Over the past 10 seasons, the 12-city marksmanship tour has appeared in 27 North American cities, located in 16 states and two Canadian provinces.

In keeping with this year's auto racing theme, Hanaford Associates Stock Car Driving Experience of New Hampshire, will present a unique award to one of the tour's marksmen at the end of the season. The recipient shall receive a ride or drive in a NASCAR style racecar at a selected speedway. Hanaford Associates will make all of the modifications necessary to accommodate a licensed driver with a physical disability.

The 2007 Honorary Chairmanship of Jeff Hammond will bring a heightened awareness of disabled sportsmen, while fostering a better understanding of their challenges and achievements. This coming season promises to be the most exciting in the NRA-Beeman's history.

For additional information call NRA Disabled Shooting Services at (703) 267-1495.