UPS has been associated with the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series since 2000. In 2001, the company became the primary sponsor for the 1999 Cup Series champion Dale Jarrett. As a result, the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season marks the company's eighth year in the sport.
During the last eight years UPS has built its identity in the sport, creating its own traditions along the way. In 2005, UPS embarked in a program that is quickly becoming one of the most heart-warming traditions that exists in the sport today with the association created between The UPS Store and Toys for Tots. During the 2005 season The UPS Store became a national sponsor of the Toys for Tots program and embarked in a $1 million pledge drive for Toys for Tots. In an effort to generate excitement and promote Toys for Tots UPS decided to run a special paint scheme in Nextel Cup Series competition. As an enhanced element to the program, UPS asked Jarrett's three youngest children to design the paint scheme that he would race at Texas Motor Speedway that fall.
In 2006, UPS and The UPS Store decided to open up the opportunity to design the UPS car to children across the country with the "Design Dale's Ride" coloring contest. One lucky winner was selected from the more than 2,500 entries. Annabelle Huffman from NAPA, Calif. was the grand prize winner, winning a trip to the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway where she helped Jarrett to unveil the prize-winning paint scheme.
After the success of the 2006 campaign, UPS decided to keep the coloring contest as part of the Toys for Tots program with the 2007 "Design Dale's New Ride" coloring contest. The 2007 contest began March 1 and continues through the end of the month with all entries being required to be submitted by March 31.
"I am proud to be part of the Toys for Tots program," Jarrett said. "In addition to giving kids the chance to design a special The UPS Store/Toys for Tots car, this contest is a great way for parents and teachers to teach children about the importance of charitable giving."
To celebrate the kickoff of the 2007 promotion, The UPS Store had a display at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the weekend of the Daimler Chrysler 400 Nextel Cup Series race. The display at Las Vegas featured a coloring area where kids, ages five to 12, attending the race had the opportunity to "color" a life-size, white blank template #44 UPS Toyota Camry.
In addition to "coloring" the UPS Toyota that was on display in Las Vegas, kids that participated also had the opportunity to design and submit entry forms for the 2007 "Design Dale's New Ride" coloring contest.
Children, five to 12 years old, have until March 31 to enter the contest by picking up a copy of the coloring contest template at participating The UPS Store locations or by logging on to www.theupsstore.com. Then from April 30 to May 18, the public will have its chance to vote for its favorite design online at www.theupsstore.com. The public vote will determine this year's winner.
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