In 2003, Hills Bros. Coffee, along with grocery chains Jewel in Chicago, Pic ‘N Save of Milwaukee and Meijers in Michigan teamed to create the Hills Bros. Coffee Break of a Lifetime. The program offers unknown drivers a chance to showcase their talent in top-notch BUSCH Series equipment and paves the way toward landing a full-time CRAFTSMAN Truck, BUSCH or NEXTEL Cup ride. The inaugural Hills Bros. Coffee Break of a Lifetime driver was David Reutimann, a highly talented driver who was winning in the minor leagues but could not catch the eye of a big name sponsor to support his move into stock car racing’s major leagues. That all changed when Hills Bros. Coffee placed David in the Joe Nemechek-owned NEMCO MOTORSPORTS Chevrolet for five BUSCH Series races in 2003. Reutimann made the most of his Hills Bros. “Coffee Break of a Lifetime” by leading 24 laps in his first race at Texas Motor Speedway and scoring a top 5 and a top 10 in races at Milwaukee and California. His
performance was enough to catch the eye of Darrell Waltrip who put David in his newly formed CRAFTSMAN Truck for 2004. That selection paid off for Waltrip with Reutimann finishing 9th at Daytona and scoring a pole and 3rd place finish at Atlanta.
With this proven track record of uncovering new talent, Hills Bros. Coffee will continue their “Coffee Break of a Lifetime” program by naming the reigning NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series Champion, Todd Szegedy as their 2004 Coffee Break of a Lifetime driver. Szegedy has
been given a three-race deal to drive NEMCO MOTORSPORTS Chevrolets at Milwaukee on June 26, Chicago on July 10 and Michigan on August 21. “Todd Szegedy has all of the same qualities we saw in David Reutimann,” noted Nemechek, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver and owner of the team Szegedy will drive for. “Todd comes from the NASCAR modified series where many of NASCAR’s top performers developed their racing skills. He’s their 2003 champion and he won two weeks ago at the Nazareth modified show so we think he can win in the BUSCH Series as well,” added Nemechek. Szegedy’s “curriculum” includes testing and training from Brian Pattie, who will serve as Todd’s crew chief. For 2004, Hills Bros. has added a new “teacher” to the “Coffee Break of a Lifetime” along with a series of promotions that will allow fans to become involved in the program.
The new “teacher” is Jerry Nadeau, the NEXTEL Cup driver injured at Richmond in 2003. Nadeau will spot for Todd at all of the Hills Bros.
Coffee races. “Todd and I grew up together racing go-karts” said Nadeau. “When Todd was named as the 2004 Hills Bros. Coffee driver, I called and insisted they let me be Todd’s spotter. This is not only good for Todd but will help me get ready to race again once my
injuries are healed,” Nadeau added.
In addition, Hills Bros has added a full slate of promotions to bring the excitement of this program to race fans in each market where
Szegedy competes. In Chicago, fans will have a chance to win 1 of 200 Dale Jarrett Racing Adventures at participating Jewel grocery stores. In Michigan, fans have a chance to win a car of their choice at participating Meijers stores. All of the programs are designed to
celebrate giving race drivers like Todd Szegedy and David Reutimann as well as race fans a Hills Bros. Coffee Break of a Lifetime.(NEMCO PR)(6-2-2004)
