|
Hartford, OH April 9, 2008 Hartford, OH. - Ollie's Bargain Outlet recently announced that it would sponsor the Ollie's 360 Challenge, a three-race series pitting NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Dave Blaney against some of the nation's top 360 sprint car drivers. And there's nothing "cheap" about this tournament -- Ollie will dig deep into his pockets to award the winners with a potentially record-breaking purse! With race dates set for June, July and August, the Ollie's 360 Challenge will feature a total three-event purse of more than $80,000, with $6,000 going to each A-main winner. Additionally, a bonus of $50,000 will be offered to any driver who can win two of three A-main features.
"Taking part in the Ollie's 360 Challenge, with confirmed entries already from drivers like Kasey Kahne, Dave Blaney and Tony Stewart, is a thrill for the entire Ollie's family," said Mark Butler, president and CEO of Ollie's Bargain Outlet. "The Ollie's 360 Challenge will give us another opportunity to offer "Good Stuff, Cheap" -- top-quality racing at a great value to fans across several states this summer. And I encourage people to stay tuned for news about an exciting sweepstakes all race fans will want to enter."
The challenge will kick off with a race at the 3/8-mile Sharon (Ohio) Speedway on June 17. Owned and operated by Blaney and a group of local partners, Sharon Speedway is one of the country's leading short tracks and hosts several 410 sprint car events throughout the season.
"I am really pleased that the Ollie's 360 Challenge will make a stop at Sharon Speedway," said Blaney. "My family and business partners have put a lot of time and effort into making Sharon Speedway one of the best dirt tracks in the country and it's a privilege to welcome a marquee event such as this into our facility. I'm also looking forward to getting into a 360 sprint car again this year."
The second round of the Ollie's 360 Challenge will take place at Stewart's Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, on July 8. The high-banked, half-mile oval has a storied history that spans more than 50 years and is a staple in the sprint car universe. Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Stewart competes in a handful of dirt track racing events each season.
"Any time I can race a dirt sprint car or late model I'm excited about it," said Stewart. "I've always said that open-wheel racing is like a reset button for me and the fact that I'm going to get to race my 360 sprinter at least three times this summer is something I'm really looking forward to. We're very proud to be able to offer our fans a variety of quality racing and I'm sure this event will be one of our biggest this season. It will be fun to mix it up with Kasey, Dave and the top 360 sprint car drivers in the country
The third and final round of the Ollie's 360 Challenge will be hosted by Kahne and wrap up at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa., on August 19. The facility, a favorite of Kahne's, boasts a half-mile speedplant and one of the most loyal sprint car racing fan bases in the country. In 2007, the Ollie's Bargain Outlet Shootout event hosted by Williams Grove Speedway raised more than $75,000 for the Kasey Kahne Foundation. It's a favor that Kahne is eager to reciprocate in August.
"Williams Grove Speedway is one of my favorite tracks to race on," Kahne said. "I grew up racing sprint cars around the country and I always enjoyed racing at 'The Grove.' Last year, we worked with Ollie's and the track to help raise $75,000 for the Kasey Kahne Foundation and I really appreciated all of the effort the facility and staff put into the event. We're looking forward to working with Ollie's Bargain Outlet again this year and I'm happy to announce that the proceeds from the Grove event will go to support the Kasey Kahne Foundation this year as well. It will be great to get to compete in these three events with Tony and Dave, as well as race against the drivers who run 360 sprint cars each week. All three races will be great for the fans, especially if someone can pull off winning the $50,000 bonus."
The Williams Grove race not only culminates the series, it solidifies Ollie's Bargain Outlet's commitment to charity. "Having a charitable tie-in is extremely important to Ollie's," said Mark Butler, a newly appointed member to the Kasey Kahne Foundation Chairman's Board. "We, as a company, strive to give back to our community in any way we can. Being able to connect with the community in an exciting way via the 360 Challenge and charitably through the Kasey Kahne Foundation gives us the best of both worlds."
About the Ollie's 360 Challenge The Ollie's 360 Challenge will begin at Sharon Speedway on June 17. The second race in the three event series will take place at Eldora Speedway on July 8 with the event finale scheduled for Williams Gove Speedway on August 19. Paying $6,000 to each winner and a minimum of $500 to each A-main competitor, the Ollie's 360 Challenge series will rank as one of the highest paying 360 sprint car events of 2008. All drivers competing in at least two of the three events are eligible for the $50,000 bonus, which will be awarded to the driver who can win two of three A-main events.
Motorsports Media Entertainment is promoting the event in conjunction with the title sponsor, Ollie's Bargain Outlet. For more information regarding Ollie's Bargain Outlet please visit www.olliesbargainoutlet.com. For more information regarding Sharon Speedway, Eldora Speedway or Williams Grove Speedway log on to www.sharonspeedway.com, www.eldoraspeedway.com or www.williamsgrove.com. More information regarding each event of the Ollie's 360 Challenge will become available as event times are confirmed
About Ollie's Bargain Outlet Ollie's Bargain Outlet, founded in 1982, is the largest retailer of closeouts, salvage and surplus merchandise in the Mid-Atlantic region. Famous for its signature catch-phrase Good Stuff Cheap, Ollie's offers a huge variety of famous brand name merchandise at savings from 30-percent to 70-percent off the regular retail price, and the assortment is always changing. Ollie's Bargain Outlet operates 59 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Ohio, West Virginia, New York and North Carolina.
About The Kasey Kahne Foundation The Kasey Kahne Foundation (KKF) was formed in 2005 with a primary mission to help and support chronically ill children and their families. KKF is also focused on diversity awareness and providing opportunities for underprivileged children. In doing so, KKF brings racing fans together for a common purpose to raise funds for distribution to a variety of designated charities, including Ronald McDonald House Charities. In addition, Kasey is a member of the President's Council for service and civic participation, serving under President Bush. Visit www.kaseykahnefoundation.org for more information.
About Motorsports Media Entertainment (MME) MME produces unique, media focused racing events, such as the highly successful Prelude to the Dream dirt late model all star race in June 2007 and the 22nd Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in January 2008, which appeal to the broad spectrum of motorsports fans and help partnering companies break through the sponsor clutter. |
|
