To rev recruitment, CBP turns to NASCAR

Look out DuPont, Viagra and Penske. There’s a new name getting ready to race around that NASCAR track — the Border Patrol.The Homeland Security Department’s Customs and Border Protection agency has announced it is planning to be the primary sponsor of a car in 29 races in the United States during the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series. The department also will set up job recruiting booths at the races.CBP has been criticized for a shortage of agents. It plans to add more than 3,000 agents by the end of the year. DHS hopes to add another 1,700 in fiscal 2009 to reach 20,000."It's a proven recruiting method that has produced results for others," said CBP spokesman Michael Friel. The military has had success using NASCAR to recruit people, for example, he added.