JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- CSX Corporation (NYSE : CSX ) speeds into the Brickyard 400 as the continued primary sponsor of the No. 34 Play It Safe Ford driven by Brett Moffitt. This continues CSX's ongoing partnership with Front Row Motorsports and NASCAR to emphasize the importance of safety around railroad tracks, through car sponsorship, guest and employee events and social media messages.

CSX urges drivers and pedestrians to follow safety tips around railroad tracks, including: 

• Look both ways at rail crossings – trains can come from either direction;
• Never race a train – it can take a train more than a mile to come to a stop;
• Never walk on tracks and avoid wearing headphones around railroad property;
• Never drive around lowered gates; and
• Always expect a train.

"Sunday at the Brickyard, we're going to try to pass as many cars as we can. But I think differently when it comes to driving near railroad tracks – you should always brake for trains," said Moffitt, who took over the No. 34 Play It Safe Ford earlier this season. "NASCAR puts a lot of complicated work into keeping drivers safe in their cars, but we know it only takes some simple rules to stay safe around railroad tracks like never wear headphones around them. Save those for the racetrack."

In addition, CSX and the National FFA Organization will make history as the No. 38 FFA + CSX Living to Serve Ford becomes the first car to represent the 87-year-old agricultural education and youth service organization as a primary sponsor in a NASCAR race. The Sprint Cup Series racecar, driven by Moffitt's Front Row teammate David Gilliland, will feature a blue, gold and white paint scheme with the FFA emblem on the hood.

"Joining together at the Brickyard 400 is a great way to celebrate our partnership with CSX and continue our focus on "living to serve" in the community – especially by sharing the important message of safety first," said Molly Ball, President, National FFA Foundation.

"We're excited to celebrate this event with FFA, a critical partner in connecting CSX to the important agriculture market we serve and helping us give back in our local communities," said David Hall, resident vice president, state and government affairs, CSX. "With more than 610,000 student members, FFA will be helpful advocates to promote the importance of using caution around railroad tracks to a teen audience, one of the most vulnerable age groups for rail-related incidents."

Outside of the race, CSX and FFA have an ongoing "Living to Serve" partnership, focused on community service and leadership development. CSX is one of six Platinum Sponsors for the National FFA Foundation, having contributed more than $1 million annually since 2011.  

More information about CSX's national partners and safety messages can be found online at www.beyondourrails.org or by following #localmotive, an ongoing conversation about CSX's presence in the communities it serves through volunteerism, job creation, and moving the goods that are essential for the economy.

About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company.  It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products.  For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development.  Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides.  It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike.  More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

About National FFA Organization 
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees comprised of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA alumni, the foundation is a separately-registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.

SOURCE CSX Corporation

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