The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

FreedomRoads and Camping World Sponsor Indy 500 Pole Winner Award; Award to Go to Pole Winner's Chief Mechanic

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--May 11, 2006--Chicago-based FreedomRoads, LLC, the nation's largest RV Dealership Network and Camping World, the nation's largest retailer of RV and outdoor supplies and accessories, today announced that they will sponsor the Indianapolis Chief Mechanic Pole Winner Award for the 90th Indianapolis 500 race scheduled for May 28, 2006.

Qualifying for the Pole Position will take place on Saturday, May 13, 2006th, the first of four scheduled qualification days which will determine the starting line-up for the annual Memorial Day Classic, the Indy 500.

At the completion of Pole Qualifying at 6 p.m. EST, representatives of FreedomRoads and Camping World will present a cash award of $10,000 to the Chief Mechanic of the fastest qualifier in Victory Lane located trackside at the historic 2.5 mile oval.

FreedomRoads Chairman and CEO Marcus Lemonis commented, "We're very pleased to participate in an Indianapolis 500 award sponsorship. This particular sponsorship is near and dear to us since an important part of our business at our RV dealerships and Camping World stores is keeping our customers' RVs in great mechanical condition. Like the race team mechanics, our mechanics are highly skilled and dedicated."

Mark Boggess, President of Camping World added, "We are two fast growing companies with great vitality, and being part of the Indy 500 as well as NASCAR underscores that. This is great for our companies, associates and the industry as a whole."

FreedomRoads and affiliate companies Camping World and RVs.com established a dedicated motor sports program in 2005 and have since become major motor sports sponsors. In addition to the Indianapolis 500 Chief Mechanic Award, the companies are major NASCAR sponsors with primary sponsorship of John Andretti's #10 Car. This is the first time that an RV dealer network or RV related retailer has taken on a major NASCAR sponsorship. The companies expect this high profile exposure to benefit the RV industry from retailing to manufacturing.

About FreedomRoads

FreedomRoads is a dynamic national network of well-established local and regional RV dealerships that have united to benefit customers, employees, suppliers and the RV industry. FreedomRoads operates as a multi-store retail chain engaged in the retail sale, finance and service of recreational vehicles.

FreedomRoads is America's largest RV retailer. It currently employs over 2,000 associates and owns and operates 57 locations in 22 states including; Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Washington.

FreedomRoads stocks over $300 million of new and used recreational vehicle inventory and retails over 36,000 units annually. For additional information, please visit www.FreedomRoads.com, where more than 9,000 recreational vehicles are available for sale.

About Camping World

Camping World Inc., headquartered in Bowling Green, KY, is America's largest direct marketer and specialty retailer of RV, outdoor and camping accessories and services. Founded in 1966, Camping World offers over 8000 quality products geared toward the outdoor and RVing community, through nationwide SuperCenters, a well-established catalog call center and an award-winning Web site. Camping World is the industry leader in RV and outdoor accessories and services. The company has grown from a single store in Bowling Green, KY to its current 48 SuperCenters with more than 350 service bays, in 24 states. The original 16-page black and white mail order catalog, begun in 1969, has expanded to 14 full-color issues. Today, combined circulation of catalogs and sales flyers exceed 25 million annually. The Web site, www.campingworld.com, logs 8 million visits each year.

Through Camping World's rapidly growing number of destination SuperCenters, it provides RVers with high-quality products and services to help enhance their life on the road. Expanded offerings of products and services to protect the RV lifestyle include: the President's Club customer loyalty program; in-store Resource and Performance Centers featuring RV and Car Insurance and Roadside Assistance Service; Camping World RV Institute technical certification/training program; Goodwill Ambassador program; and the new campground discount program, Camp Club USA.

For more information, visit us at www.campingworld.com.