UPS has been involved with a number of sponsorships throughout the last several years. Its association with the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series has been one of the most notable but it has also been involved with the Olympics, the NHRA and many others.
In 2006, UPS announced its new partnership with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and Churchill Downs. In honor of that relationship, UPS created a program to celebrate the tradition of horse racing, along with the excitement of auto racing, by creating the "Off to the Races" program. Details for the program were announced in Fontana, Calif., on Saturday, February 24, 2007, at the California Speedway.
As part of the program, UPS created a national sweepstakes and will be running a special paint scheme on the #44 UPS Toyota Camry. The "Off to the Races Delivered by UPS" sweepstakes will be take place February 24 to April 4, and the winner will be awarded a trip to the NASCAR Nextel Cup race in Alabama on April 29 and a trip to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5. Along with the trip, the winner will experience first-class treatment at both race events. One of the highlights of their trip to the NASCAR race in Alabama will be a behind-the-scenes visit with Dale Jarrett, driver of the #44 UPS Toyota Camry.
To help celebrate the sweepstakes, the #44 UPS car will sport a special paint scheme during the Nextel Cup race in Alabama on April 29. The paint scheme, unveiled this weekend in California, will commemorate the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby. In addition to the brown, red, and gold lightning bolts of the #44 UPS Camry, the car will have pictures of thoroughbred horses, the Kentucky Derby logo, and a brown/tan checkered background.
"The relationship that UPS enjoys as the Official Delivery Company of the NTRA, Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby has allowed us to put together this great sweepstakes opportunity," said Patrick Guilbert, UPS V.P. of Sponsorships. "The online sweepstakes will honor the rich traditions of the Kentucky Derby and the NTRA. This program involves our NASCAR sponsorship and, while we don't think that Dale is going to be trading in his firesuit for horse racing silks anytime soon, we are excited about racing the specially painted car commemorating the upcoming Kentucky Derby."
Dale Jarrett, driver of the #44 UPS Toyota, emphasized the significance of the program and the promotion surrounding the paint scheme. "This is a great opportunity. As drivers we look forward to opportunities to do special things for either special people or special events. I don't know that there's a more recognized event around the world than the Kentucky Derby. We'll be running the car at Talladega the previous weekend. Hopefully the added horsepower that we have there will benefit us."
Bob Evans, the president and CEO of Churchill Downs, Inc., was on hand for the event, along with a number of other dignitaries from the horse racing community including Victor Espinoza, the winning jockey of the 2002 Kentucky Derby aboard War Emblem.
"This is really an exciting event for us to be associated with UPS and this whole program with the sweepstakes is really something the fans will enjoy," Evans said. "Dale (Jarrett) will be out at the track (Churchill Downs) with us in a couple months where he'll be doing the Post Position Draw. I think all the way around it's going to be a great opportunity for everybody."
"In addition to that, I'd like to talk about the two gentleman here today (Jarrett and Espinoza)," Evans added. "There are lots of professional athletes in lots of professional sports, but very few of them win the big one. These two guys, in their respective sports, have won the big one, with Dale at Daytona and Victor at the Kentucky Derby. So it's great to be associated with guys that are at the top of their sports."
Those interested in participating can enter the sweepstakes by visiting www.racing.ups.com from now through April 4. The winner, selected randomly from all the online entries, will be announced on April 5.
