Southfield,
MI - Fifteen grassroots racers representing
several different forms of engine-driven competition have been selected as
finalists in the 2013 "Search for a Champion" racing sponsorship contest, which
will award $125,000 in sponsorship cash from Federal-Mogul's iconic Champion
brand of spark plugs, wiper blades and chemical additives. Each finalist will
receive a $5,000 Champion sponsorship and a chance to earn the contest's
$50,000 grand prize. Voting for the grand prize sponsorship began Feb. 22 at www.AlwaysaChampion.com.
The finalists-announced this morning at Daytona
International Speedway in Florida
by NASCAR Sprint Cup driver and Champion spokesperson Kevin Harvick-were
selected from more than 160 racers and teams who submitted two-minute video
entries to the www.AlwaysaChampion.com
website. Over 81,000 votes were cast by racers, fans and members of the
Champion community, and final judging was led by Harvick.
"Each of our finalists did an outstanding job of
demonstrating their passion for racing and a commitment to take their skills to
the next level in 2013,"
Harvick said. "I'm proud to be associated with this innovative contest because
Federal-Mogul and the Champion brand are helping to build the next generation
of racing superstars."
The 2013 "Search for a Champion" finalists are:
Name City/State Vehicle
Class/Type
Kolby
Araki Clovis, CA. USAC
Sprint Car
Cody
Correia Lake Elsinore, CA Motorcycle/Motocross
Jason
Feger Bloomington, IL Dirt Late Model
Molly
Helmuth Seattle, WA Super Late Model
Ted
Hodgdon Danbury, CT. Junior Outlaw Kart
Jolly Rogers Racing Des Moines, WA Jet Sprint Boat
Andy
Lieders Colby, WI Snowmobile/Snocross
Tristan Nunez Boca
Raton, FL Prototype Lite
D.J.
Osborne Lehi, Utah Super
Late Model
Bobby
Pierce Oakwood, IL Dirt
Late Model
Carl
Rydquist Redondo
Beach, CA Time
Attack & Drifting
Donnie
Steward West Burlington, IA Dirt Winged Sprint Car
Tyler
Tanner Auburn,
WA Straight Rail Late Model
Taylor
Toftemark Castle Rock, WA Top
Alcohol Jr. Dragster
Wes
White Pacoima, CA Vintage Motorcycle
Federal-Mogul also announced five "Honorable Mention"
winners, each of whom will receive a $500 Visa Gift Card. They are: Alex Cognac,
Marvin, N.C.; Sierra
Jackson, Middleton, Idaho;
Nick Lascuola, Abington, Mass.;
Jeremy Lowe, Sarasota, Fla.;
and Pittbull Motorsports, Bismarck,
N.D.
Anyone can vote for their favorite entrant in the $50,000
grand-prize round of the "Search for a Champion" contest by registering at www.AlwaysaChampion.com. Those who
register and vote will automatically be entered into a sweepstakes for 200 free
Champion T-shirts as well as posters autographed by Harvick. Voting is open
February 22 through March 24, 2013, and Harvick will announce the $50,000
"Champion's champion" at 9 a.m.
ET on April 2.