UPS has enjoyed its current NASCAR sponsorship since becoming the Official Delivery Company of NASCAR in 2000. UPS expanded its sponsorship to the rich tradition of horse racing in 2006 by becoming the Official Delivery Company of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). To celebrate its partnerships with NASCAR and the NTRA, UPS created its unique "Off to the Races" paint scheme and sweepstakes program in 2007.
For the second year in a row, UPS is bringing together the crown jewel of horse racing in the Kentucky Derby with the fast and furious world of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing through the second edition of the "Off to the Races" program.
David Reutimann will take to the 2.6-mile Talladega Superspeedway in a special painted #44 UPS/The Kentucky Derby Toyota during the Aaron's 499 race weekend.
"It's a great looking car and I feel quite certain that is as close as I'll ever get to racing a horse," Reutimann joked about his special paint scheme for the Aaron's 499. "I think it is going to be a lot of fun for me to be able to race a car that is about an event as big as the Kentucky Derby. I just don't think it gets much bigger than that event."
While Reutimann will be racing the paint scheme he also will have a special meet and greet with the winners of the "Off to the Races" sweepstakes which awards one lucky winner and a guest trips to both the Aaron's 499 in Talladega and the Kentucky Derby in Louisville. The winner will receive the VIP treatment during both events.
Following the race weekend in Talladega, Reutimann will make the trip to historic Churchill Downs for what is considered to be UPS Day at the famed facility on April 30 where he will participate in a variety of activities from media interviews to autograph sessions to taking in a few of the races scheduled for the day.
"This is pretty exciting for me because I've never had the opportunity to go to the Kentucky Derby or even be at Churchill Downs for events like this," Reutimann said. "It's a pretty amazing thing when you think about the Kentucky Derby and talk about this being the 134th running of that race. There aren't too many sports that can boast of that kind of heritage so it's going to be a thrill for me to visit a place that has so much history. I'm looking forward to that opportunity."
Joining Reutimann at Churchill Downs on April 30 are car owner Michael Waltrip and Dale Jarrett, the former driver of the #44 UPS Toyota. Jarrett participated in the "Off to the Races" program in 2007 and made his first trip to Churchill Downs as part of the program one year ago. Jarrett will take on a bit of a different role this year as he will participate in the ESPN broadcast to the annual post position draw that takes place in downtown Louisville to determine the starting gate for each of the Kentucky Derby horses.
"Last year's program with Churchill Downs, UPS and the Kentucky Derby was pretty special for me," Jarrett said. "I had never been to Churchill Downs before last year and it was quite an honor to be exposed to that sport and to see the passion that exists for horse racing and the dedication of that sport's players. It's an honor to be able to have the chance to go back there this year and to be part of the activities and then the post position draw show that takes place in downtown Louisville."
