Pennzoil is taking the excitement around the 2009 Pennzoil Victory Challenge to an even higher level by allowing one lucky fan the chance of a lifetime to ride shotgun with Kevin Harvick in the 2009 Pennzoil Victory Challenge. The second annual event is set for May 16, 2009 at Lowes Motor Speedway (LMS) as part of the Sprint All-Star Race pre-event festivities. The Pennzoil Victory Challenge is NASCARs version of a”slam dunk contest” however this contest features the sports top talent showing off their abilities in post-race-win celebrations in classic NASCAR smoking donut style. The driver lineup has been expanded from five drivers to seven, and like in 2008, each driver will compete in identically prepared stock cars. However, this year the new format allows each driver a longer freestyle demonstration and the panel of judges will score their creativity. The driver with the highest score from the panel will be declared the winner, with $10,000 awarded to their designated charity and a reserved spot in the 2010 Pennzoil Victory Challenge. Joining the first driver announced, #29-Kevin Harvick, will be #16-Greg Biffle (winner of the 2008 Pennzoil Victory Challenge), #24-Jeff Gordon, #33-Clint Bowyer, #18-Kyle Busch and #9-Kasey Kahne. The Pennzoil Victory Challenge will be televised live during SPEEDs pre-race coverage on Saturday, May 16th prior to the NASCAR Sprint Showdown and NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. For more info on this contest and many other racing contests, see my Racing Contest page.(4-25-2009) UPDATE: Three-time NASCAR Champion and former Pennzoil driver Darrell Waltrip has accepted the invitation to become the seventh and final competitor for the 2009 Pennzoil Victory Challenge on May 16 at Lowes Motor Speedway. Waltrip was officially invited to compete by Shell-Pennzoil driver Kevin Harvick Friday night during SPEEDs Trackside Live from Talladega, Ala. In classic Waltrip fashion, D.W. gladly accepted and will enter this unique on-track competition scheduled as a part of the pre-race festivities for the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Waltrip won the inaugural All-Star race in 1985.”Pennzoil has always been special to the Waltrip family,” commented Darrell Waltrip.”Michael and I both got to drive the Pennzoil car. The No. 1 Pennzoil car revitalized my career when I really needed it. It will be fun to burn up the track again in the Pennzoil Victory Challenge.” A new facet to the 2009 Challenge includes a panel of celebrity judges featuring 16-time World Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair, NFL All-Pro wide receiver Randy Moss, SPEEDs own Jimmy Spencer, plus Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry of the award-winning country music group – Montgomery Gentry.(Pennzoil PR)(5-1-2009)
