Albertson's to Sponsor Petty Enterprises' #43 STP/Cheerios Pontiac in the DIRECTV 500 Winston Cup Race at Texas Motor Speedway
3 March 2000
Driver John Andretti Unveiled the #43 and Announced the Albertson's $100,000 Sweepstakes DALLAS-(March 2, 2000)-Albertson's and NASCAR driver John Andretti announced today that Petty Enterprises' #43 STP/Cheerios Pontiac will carry the Albertson's logo for the DIRECTV 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race April 2, at Texas Motor Speedway. Andretti and Albertson's representatives unveiled the STP/Albertson's #43 Pontiac and announced the Albertson's $100,000 Sweepstakes. "It's going to be really great to have Albertson's on board," said Andretti, who is currently 16th in Winston Cup points. "Hopefully we can take them to victory lane and have an Albertson's customer leave Texas Motor Speedway $100,000 richer." Customers can register for the $100,000 sweepstakes between March 1-12, 2000 at all Dallas area Albertson's stores. One Grand Prize Winner will be awarded four tickets to the DIRECTV 500 at Texas Motor Speedway April 2nd. If John Andretti and the #43 STP/Cheerios Pontiac wins the DIRECTV 500, the grand prize winner will be awarded $100,000. "Albertson's is proud to be a NASCAR sponsor," said Gary G. Michael, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Albertson's, Inc. "The popularity of NASCAR in our market areas has increased significantly in the last few years and a growing number of our customers and employees are NASCAR fans. This sponsorship allows us to show our support of NASCAR fans and customers across the country and we believe we're part of a winning combination." General Mills and its Cheerios and Betty Crocker brands will take over primary sponsorship of the Petty Enterprises' #43 Pontiac from STP at the July 1st Pepsi 400. Other General Mills sponsors include Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn, Hamburger Helper, and Box Tops for Education, General Mills' program to raise money for America's schools. Albertson's opened its first grocery store in 1939 in Boise, Idaho. Founder Joe Albertson changed the rules in the grocery business by introducing unheard of services like a scratch bakery, magazine racks, homemade ice cream, popcorn, nuts, and an automatic donut machine. He based his store on high quality, good value, and excellent service. Today, Albertson's, Inc. is one of the largest retail food-drug chains in the United States. Based in Boise, Idaho, the Company currently employs over 220,000 individuals and operates almost 2,500 retail stores in 37 states across the United States.