One of my absolute favorite contests is back again. For the sixth year, Office Depot has launched the “Official Small Business of NASCAR, Courtesy of Office Depot” sweepstakes. This time there’s a whole new wrinkle, one that could give one super lucky small business one million dollars (when you read that you have to pretend you’re Dr. Evil 
).
In addition to the possible $1 million, Office Depot, sponsor of the No. 14 Office Depot Chevy driven by Tony Stewart, is working with 3M and that means Greg Biffle is in the mix.
- Now through July 10, small business owners can enter for a chance to become the 2010 “Official Small Business of NASCAR, Courtesy of Office Depot” by entering online at www.OfficeDepotRacing.com
- Eligible small businesses should have 99 employees or less.
- The “Official Small Business of NASCAR” sweepstakes is now in its sixth year, but Office Depot has put a competitive new twist on the popular promotion for 2010.
- This year, two small business owners will be randomly selected as finalists in the sweepstakes, and Tony Stewart (driver of the No. 14 Office Depot Chevy) and Greg Biffle (driver of the No. 16 3M Ford) will go head-to-head on the race track to determine their fate during the AAA 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on September 26.
- Stewart will carry the name/logo of one small business finalist on his race car during the Dover race, while Biffle will feature the name/logo of the other finalist on his car.
- The small business that appears on the highest-finishing driver’s car at Dover will be named the 2010 “Official Small Business of NASCAR, Courtesy of Office Depot.”
- PLUS, if Stewart or Biffle were to win the race at Dover, the small business featured on the winning car will take home the “Official Small Business of NASCAR” title AND $1 million!
Both finalists will receive the following:
- $10,000 small business makeover from Office Depot
- VIP race weekend experience for two during the September 24-26 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend at Dover International Speedway
- But if you aren’t one of the two finalists, you can still win big! Every day during the sweepstakes entry window, one lucky small business owner will be randomly selected to receive a $1,000 Office Depot gift card just for entering the sweepstakes.
Both Biffle and Stewart will be promoting the sweepstakes this weekend at the Toyota/SaveMart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Enter the contest at OfficeDepotRacing.com
First, I must address the most amazing “Gentleman, Start Your Engines” ever PERFORMED on national television. That’s right, performed! Actors (and comedians) Kevin James and Adam Sandler were the Grand Marshals for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 at Michigan International Speedway and the didn’t fail to deliver what I knew would be the most entertaining command to start engines since I don’t know when. (Off topic right now but this photo, left, is the best photo of Denny Hamlin I’ve seen in quite some time. Just sayin’)
Can we get Kevin James out to every race to do that little dance? Freaking hilarious. If you missed it, video of Sandler and James giving the command is below. They’re promoting their new movie “Grown Ups” which, of course, looks very funny.
My only question about this race is why didn’t Denny Hamlin pick up the giant fake tub of Heluva Good! Sour Cream dip that was sitting on top of his car in Victory Lane? That would of been great, especially if they’d had a giant bag of chips to go with it. (more…)
If you’ve been living under a rock, or maybe you don’t watch ESPN, you might not know that the 2010 FIFA World Cup has kicked off in South Africa. This soccer thing is a big freaking deal and the USA has a team. Of course we all want the US to do well, but interestingly enough so does Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale is a soccer fan. I had no idea, but he really is and he’s working with adidas an their “Every Team Needs a Fan” campaign. (more…)
When I heard that Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson were involved with the Pepsi Refresh Project I was all set to just vote for Dale Jr’s idea without hearing the other two. But instead of being one of those fans that blindly follows their favorite driver without question, I gave Jeff and Jimmie a chance to convince me their idea was better. They’re all equally good and would help very important causes, so I voted for all of ‘em.
Check out the videos below and then vote for yourself at www.NASCAR.com/PepsiRefresh
Red Bull Racing has selected Mattias Ekström to handle the road course at Infineon Raceway next week in the No. 83 Red Bull Racing Toyota:
“First of all, I’d like to express my sincere thanks — to Red Bull for inviting a Swede with zero NASCAR experience to compete in the United States and to Audi for the possibility and approval that enable me to fulfill this dream,” said Ekström, 31.
I, too, would like to express my sincerest thanks to Red Bull for inviting a cute Swedish dude to race in NASCAR for the first time ever. Can you say, “fresh meat?” It’s perfect timing since I’ll be at Infineon next week for the Toyota/SaveMart 350. Can wait to see Mattias in action. Zero NASCAR experience and his first race is at Infineon. I love it.
That’s Mattias (left) with Casey Mears, sporting his wedding ring. I forgot Casey got married!
In other news…
– The 2010 Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream was held last night and drivers from all kinds of racing disciplines were on hand, including Travis Pastrana who is famous for his motocross & supercross & general extreme sport background. I really, really wish Travis would try his hand at NASCAR. It would be a good time for sure. That guy is funny and super talented. (more…)
I guess I was the only person who wasn’t surprised to see Joey Logano sticking up for himself on pit road this weekend at Pocono. He had a similar, albeit less obviously confrontational, show of anger last year at Infineon in the Camping World West Series race when he sideswiped Patrick Long with his car on his way to the garage.
So if I had to pick a theme song for Joey it would be Britney Spears’ classic “Oops, I Did it Again,” because he’s “not that innocent.” Don’t let the big, cheesy “aw shucks” grin fool ya. The kid knows how to be pissed off. (more…)
