NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series sponsors join forces to offer fans unique opportunity to win $250,000 plus a tanker of quality Sunoco gasoline
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup SeriesTM sponsors join forces to offer fans unique opportunity to win $250,000 plus a tanker of quality Sunoco gasoline Green flag drops on the "Nextel Race to the Chase Sweepstakes fueled by Sunoco" RESTON, Va. (June 30, 2005) - NASCAR's premier series sponsor, Nextel Communications Inc. , today announced a sweepstakes offer in partnership with Sunoco, the official fuel of NASCAR, that will ultimately award $250,000 and a full tanker of gasoline to one lucky fan that enters the contest and correctly forecasts the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion. The sweepstakes begins July 1 and ends Wednesday, Aug. 31. "Nextel is constantly looking for unique ways to bring the fans closer to the sport they love, and we are excited to partner with Sunoco to make this contest even better than it was last year," said Michael Robichaud, senior director of sports and entertainment marketing for Nextel. "This sweepstakes is a prime example of how sponsors can work together to get the fans involved and generate excitement for the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup." "Sunoco is extremely excited to partner with Nextel on what is sure to be a terrific NASCAR sweepstakes," said Chris Buitron, senior brand marketing manager for Sunoco. "Nextel has been great to work with in bringing this once in a lifetime experience to 10 lucky NASCAR fans." After 26 races in the 36-race NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season, the top 10 drivers in points and any others within 400 points of the first-place driver will earn berths in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. This grand prize will be awarded following the Ford 400 in Homestead, Fla., on Nov. 20, 2005, and just like the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers, fans need to qualify to be eligible. Here's how it all breaks down: * Between July 1 and Aug. 31, 2005, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series fans aged 18 or older can enter by selecting the driver they think will win the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship. Fans may enter by: 1. Purchasing a Nextel phone at any Nextel Retail Store or Nextel Authorized Representative; 2. Enter online at www.nextel.com/race or www.nascar.com <http://www.nascar.com/> ; 3. Through any Nextel phone with Nextel Online* Service; 4. At The Nextel Experience, Nextel's 6,400-square-foot interactive fan destination at NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events; 5. Or by visiting one of 3,800 participating Sunoco retail locations and filling out an official entry form. * There is no purchase necessary and official rules will be available at www.nextel.com/race. * When the top 10 drivers qualified for the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup are identified based on standings, the real fun begins. One winner will be chosen at random from each pool of entrants that selected a top ten driver. These winners will be announced following the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 10, 2005. * Each of the 10 winners will receive an ultimate fan experience trip to one of the 10 races in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. This includes four airline tickets, four tickets to the race, a VIP tour, a meet and greet with their selected driver, an RV for the weekend, $250 spending money and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series merchandise. These winners will also receive free Sunoco gasoline for a year and Nextel's latest sleek handset, the i836 from Motorola. * The finalists whose drivers are still mathematically eligible to win the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship will be flown to Homestead Miami Speedway where they will enjoy the Ford 400 from the Race to the Chase-branded Fan Stand setup behind pit road. * The finalist who has selected the driver that is named the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion will win the grand prize: $250,000 and a tanker of quality Sunoco gasoline. * New to the sweepstakes in 2005, Motorola is offering cash prizes for nine runners-up based on their driver's position within the points standings -- $25,000 for second place, $15,000 for third and $10,000 each for third through ninth places.