The Wrangler(R) Brand's 'Take a Test Drive with Dale Jr.' Event Provides Ride of a Lifetime for Fun and Charity
Contest winners get the chance to ride with Earnhardt Jr.
GREENSBORO, N.C., Oct. 28 -- A few lucky fans were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as they strapped in beside Dale Jr. Wednesday and took three warp-speed laps around Lowe's Motor Speedway. Averaging speeds of 170 miles per hour, the NASCAR superstar had the wheel while fans held on tight riding shotgun.
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But it wasn't all just fun and games. While this is the second "Take a Test Drive with Dale Jr." event for the Wrangler(R) brand, it is the first time a ride was auctioned on eBay for charity. For seven days in September, fans raced to bid on a ride with Dale Jr., knowing 100 percent of the winning bid went directly to the American Red Cross to support hurricane relief efforts.
A ceremony was held as part of Wednesday's event to officially donate a check in the amount of the $42,100 winning bid to the American Red Cross. Don Crawford of Ocala, Florida, the winning bidder, along with representatives from the Dale Earnhardt Foundation and the Wrangler(R) brand, presented the check to American Red Cross officials Marilyn Garner (Greater Carolinas Chapter) and Nancy Litton (Cabarrus County Chapter). Crawford outbid others for the ride, which he gave to his wife Debbie, a self-proclaimed "huge Dale Jr. fan."
Five others, who were winners of a separate sweepstakes, the nationally- advertised "Take a Test Drive with Dale Jr." contest, took their turn beside Dale Jr. in the recognizable No. 8 car this week as well. And several media celebrities came out to enjoy the ride including Tanika Ray from "Extra!," Lance Smith from CMT, "ESPN Hollywood's" Thea Andrews, and Vicki Johnson from "NASCAR Nation."
"The Wrangler(R) brand welcomes our contest winners," said Craig Errington, director of marketing, Men's Mass Market Brands at VF Jeanswear, a division of V.F. Corporation. "They are the real reason we do this - as a thank you and a touch-point with our consumers and fans. We are also proud to have contributed to the hurricane recovery efforts by working alongside Dale Jr. and the Dale Earnhardt Foundation on the auction opportunity to benefit the American Red Cross."
The Wrangler(R) brand has had a long-standing relationship with DEI and the Earnhardt family, and since 2004 the Wrangler Jeans Co.(TM) brand has reigned as the official jeans of Dale Jr. and the No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. racing team. Last year "TV Guide Channel's" Kim Caldwell (of "American Idol" fame), "Entertainment Tonight's" Victoria Recano and Erika Vettrini of "The Tony Danza Show" (and "The Apprentice"), took the ride with Dale Jr. at the "Take a Test Drive" event.
Founded in 2002, The Dale Earnhardt Foundation was established to carry on Dale's name and good works through charitable causes he supported during his lifetime, with a focus on Children, Education, the Environment and Wildlife Preservation.
American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The American Red Cross provides shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.
About the Company
The Wrangler(R) brand is a division of VF Jeanswear Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of V.F. Corporation. V.F. Corporation is a leader in branded apparel including jeanswear, outdoor products, intimate apparel, image apparel and sportswear. Its principal brands include Lee(R), Wrangler(R), Riders(R), Rustler(R), Vanity Fair(R), Vassarette(R), Bestform(R), Lily of France(R), Nautica(R), Earl Jean(R), John Varvatos(R), JanSport(R), Eastpak(R), The North Face(R), Vans(R), Reef(R), Napapijri(R), Kipling(R), Lee Sport(R) and Red Kap(R).
V.F. Corporation's press releases, annual report and other information can be accessed through the Company's home page, www.vfc.com. For more information on the Wrangler(R) brand, please go to www.wrangler.com.
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PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, interview requests or permission to use images from the Wrangler(R) brand's "Take a Test Drive with Dale Jr." event, please contact Shannon Catanella at 919.277.1194.