02/13/2007 - LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Ever wonder how thrilling it would be to win a race and take home big-time prize money? Race fans will now have that chance. Alltel Wireless, America's largest network, today announced the Alltel "My Circle 500" sweepstakes, a text-to-win promotion that gives fans the chance to win a grand prize of up to $500,000.
From now until April 30, 2007, fans can enter by texting RACE to 67783 or by logging onto mycircle500.com. From the entries, 10 finalists will become eligible for the sweepstakes' grand prize, and everyone who enters is eligible to win weekly prizes, including LG 8600 handsets, accessories and Alltel Wireless gift cards.
"With 'My Circle' Alltel customers choose who they call for free, and now with the 'My Circle 500' sweepstakes 10 lucky finalists will choose their own pit crew, as they compete in a race unlike any other," said Laura Cook, senior vice president of marketing communications for Alltel Wireless. "For the first time, race fans will get a taste of what it's like to be the stars on the track and in the pits as they compete head to head for up to $500,000."
The 10 sweepstakes finalists will win the opportunity to take their 'pit crew' of 10 friends and family members on an all-expense-paid trip to Charlotte, N.C., on May 24-27. The finalists will tour the Penske Race Shop, meet the No. 12 Alltel Dodge team and train like the pros in the days leading up to the Alltel "My Circle 500."
On race day, the 10 'pit crew' teams will put their skills to the test in an ultimate go-kart and pit crew challenge. The 'pit crew' that records the fastest time in the challenge will be declared the winning team and will be guaranteed $200,000. If the winning team completes the pit crew portion of the challenge faster than 14.5 seconds - the established benchmark time for the racing industry - the team will win an additional $300,000 - increasing the grand prize purse to $500,000.
"There is nothing that compares to the rush of winning a race," said Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 12 Alltel Dodge. "Fans will finally get the chance to experience that for themselves and potentially go home $500,000 richer." For more information about the Alltel "My Circle 500," please visit mycircle500.com.