Aug 08, 2002
Sophomore driver won his first career Winston Cup Race in March with
special Sharpie paint scheme, hopes luck continues
(Bellwood, Ill. - August 8, 2002)
The Sharpie brand, the worlds most popular family of permanent markers
and title sponsor of the Sharpie 500, today unveiled a special paint
scheme for Kurt Busch's No. 97 Ford, defending Bristol Motor Speedway
(BMS) champion. The special one-time look will be featured at the
Sharpie 500 on Saturday, August 24 under the lights.
Busch is betting on another Sharpie paint job to help him take the
checkered flag once again at Bristol. Busch won the Food City 500 in
March at BMS, his first Winston Cup career victory, driving a special
paint scheme that officially kicked off the Sharpie "You Could Win A
$1,000,000" program and race to the Sharpie 500.
"Returning to Bristol and the Sharpie 500 feels a lot like going back
home," said Busch. "We won in Bristol in March with the 'Sharpie Million
Dollar' car, and I hope this new look gives us a little luck to do it
all over again."
The design features a red Sharpie permanent marker, which is one of the
most popular of the more than 12 colors made by Sharpie. Sharpie chose
to feature red because the color means speed.
The Sharpie 500 will not only have a car carrying its name, but also
play host to what could be a million dollar giveaway. Sharpie, in its
second year of title sponsorship of the Bristol Night Race, will be
bringing 10 individuals from its national sweepstakes that ends August
13 to BMS on August 24 for a chance at what could be $1 million.
On Saturday night before the Sharpie 500, one of the 10 semifinalists
will randomly draw a qualified driver from the field of 43. If that
driver wins, the lucky finalist pockets $1 million; $100,000 for 2nd
through 5th place; $50,000 for 6th through 10th place; and $10,000 for
any finish outside of the top 10.
"We're thrilled to be back at the Sharpie 500 as Kurt Busch attempts a
repeat of his win early this year," said Jeff Werner, vice president of
marketing at Sanford North America, makers of Sharpie. "The Sharpie 500
will be 'racin' the way it ought'a be' and possibly where someone can
walk away with $1 million. It will be a weekend to remember."
For more details, visit www.sharpie500.com.