see also: in April 2008:   U. S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes $1.3 Million Worth of Counterfeit Cigarettes   Border Patrol Launches Rhode Island Search   Border Patrol Agent Search Launches in Atlanta   Two Weeks = Two Tons of Marijuana Seized at Arizona Port of Entry   CBP Officers in Texas Find $3 Million Worth of Dope in 'Empty' Sea Container   New Jersey CBP Officers Make $4 Million Heroin Candy Bar Bust   Border Patrol Agents Locate More Than Half Ton of Marijuana ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   U.S. Border Patrol

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Phoenix — This week, the #28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevy pulls into the Phoenix International Raceway, with a sizeable caravan and hopes to improve for the third week in a row.

Beginning year two, #28 is driven by Kenny Wallace who is joined by a seasoned race team, along with an ever-present mobile Border Patrol recruiting team. In addition to sponsoring a car in the race, Border Patrol recruiters are on the NASCAR Nationwide Series circuit, making their presence known trackside.

From Thursday, April 10 through Saturday, April 12, Phoenix International Raceway will feature a Border Patrol Mobile Recruitment Center prominently located on the midway. The Mobile Recruitment Center is open to all raceway visitors.

"We are fortunate to have such a talented team in place for #28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevy," said Joe Abbott, national recruiting director. "The raceway is an energy-charged atmosphere and it’s exciting that in addition to #28 being the obvious attention-grabber, the U.S. Border Patrol's Mobile Recruitment Center continues to be a trackside hot spot and an interest to NASCAR fans and job-seekers."

Hiring an unprecedented number of Border agents sparked efforts to expand the Border Patrol’s recruiting approach.

Along with a NASCAR Nationwide Series Racing #28 car sponsorship, new outreach includes the launch of the Border Patrol Minority Recruitment Strike Team, simultaneous Border Patrol-initiated recruitment events across the country, and recruiting at U.S. military installations in the continental U.S. and abroad.

To meet a presidential mandate to increase federal law enforcement presence on the U.S. border, the agency will increase the strength of the Border Patrol, with 6,000 new agents, by the end of 2008.

Phoenix Schedule for #28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevy

• Practice Sessions: Thursday, April 10 - Seen at the raceway at 1:15 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. EST
• Fianl Practice: Thursday, April 10 - Live on Speed Channel at 8:30 p.m. EST
• Qualifying: Friday, April 11 - Speed channel at 5:05 p.m. EST
• Bashas Supermarket 200 Race: Friday, April 11 - Live on ESPN2 at 9:30 p.m. EST

The Border Patrol is specifically responsible for patrolling the 6,000 miles of Mexican and Canadian international land borders and 2,000 miles of coastal waters surrounding the Florida Peninsula and the island of Puerto Rico. One of the most important activities of a Border Patrol agent is line watch. This involves the detection, prevention and apprehension of terrorists, undocumented aliens and smugglers of aliens or illegal goods at or near the land border. To find out more information, visit www.BorderPatrol.gov or call 1-877-277-9527. ( U.S. Border Patrol )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.