HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (October 14, 2011) - The SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series announces its partnership with Sunoco and Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2012 Sunoco Driven Challenge.

 

Sunoco and Joe Gibbs Racing have partnered to develop the Sunoco Driven Challenge where drivers across the country have a chance to compete for a unique opportunity to test with one of NASCAR’s top teams. 

 

“We are really proud that Sunoco and Joe Gibbs Racing recognized the high level of talent we have in the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series, and one of our drivers will have a shot at a great opportunity to further their career through this new program,” stated the SRL’s Larry Collins.  “The Sunoco Driven Challenge brings together the five top short track series in the nation to compete in a national point structure.  It will be interesting to see how the points play out during the race season, and hopefully we’ll have one of our drivers testing for JGR next year.”

 

Drivers in five qualifying grassroots racing series will compete in a uniquely developed points system throughout the 2012 season to determine one overall winner. The winner will receive a test in a JGR NASCAR K&N Pro Series car at the conclusion of the season, a tour of JGR’s Huntersville, NC headquarters and a meeting with JGR President, J.D. Gibbs.

 

There will also be an opportunity for one lucky fan and a guest to join in the winning driver’s experience with an all expenses paid trip to Charlotte, NC where they will tour the JGR race shop, meet J.D. Gibbs, and attend the test session.  Prizes will also include Joe Gibbs Driven oil products, Sunoco fuel, and the opportunity to attend a driving school. The consumer promotion will begin in 2012.

 

“Sunoco is committed to fueling victories both on and off the track,” said Cynthia Archer, Sunoco’s vice president of marketing. “The Joe Gibbs Racing partnership helps strengthen that commitment by fueling the dreams of the next generation of drivers while also rewarding one lucky fan.”

 

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to work with Sunoco on the Challenge,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR.  “Identifying talented young drivers is obviously something that has always been of interest to NASCAR’s top teams and certainly when you look at our team there are a lot of great stories behind the development of our guys. This has been something we’ve participated in over the past few years through our Joe Gibbs Driven oil brand and a Sunoco partnership allows us to enhance the program.”

 

To be eligible drivers must be entered in one of the following grassroots series: SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series, PASS North, PASS South, CRA, and the ASA Midwest Tour. Each week points will be totaled based upon a driver’s finish in their respective Series’ race and once each Series concludes its season, a winner will be determined.