PEAK® Antifreeze & Motor Oil And Michael Waltrip Racing Launch 2014 "PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge"

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- To uncover the next big racing star, PEAK^® Antifreeze & Motor Oil and Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) are kicking off the second "PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge," a nationwide search to find an amateur racer who has what it takes to be a professional driver.  Coming off an exciting inaugural season in 2013 when 700 entrants were narrowed down to one breakout star, the Challenge is back and in hot pursuit of aspiring racers who dream of taking it to the Winner's Circle.

The PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge will give one grassroots racer a big boost by providing the contest winner with a PEAK racing sponsorship in a 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series race.  Finalists will be selected via video auditions, racing resume, and social media fan support to train and compete for the Stock Car Dream Challenge title.

Michael Waltrip, founder and co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, joined PEAK today to officially announce the 2014 competition. "We're excited that PEAK is bringing back the Stock Car Dream Challenge.  This competition is the real deal for aspiring racers," he said.  "For every successful driver, there are thousands in the grandstands looking for their opportunity to prove themselves in the big league."   

Bryan Emrich, Chief Marketing Officer for PEAK, added, "As an independent family-owned company, PEAK identifies with the grassroots racers who work hard and get their hands dirty in order to get on the track whenever they can. After unearthing some exceptional talent last year, we are thrilled to continue working with Michael Waltrip Racing on the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge to find other aspiring racers looking for a sponsor." 

Buckle Up:  How to Get in the Game

Starting February 18^th through April 30^th, racers can submit video entries and their racing resume at PEAKStockCarDream.com, showing off their talents and telling viewers why they deserve one of the coveted spots at the "Showdown in Charlotte," a three-day racing competition with coaching and judging from Michael Waltrip Racing team drivers, PEAK representatives and PEAK ambassador Danica Patrick.

Adding fuel to the fire this year, PEAK is partnering with iRacing.com, the world's premier motorsports racing simulation, to give the best virtual stock car racers a chance to get behind the wheel at the Showdown in Charlotte.  Fans can visit www.iracing.com/PEAK to compete in the "iRacing PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge Series (iPSCDC)," a 12-week virtual racing series beginning January 28^th through April 21^st. 

The 2013 NASCAR iRacing World Champion, Tyler Hudson, has qualified for the 2014 PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge.  Tyler will compete at the Showdown in Charlotte along with the winner of the new 12-week virtual series. 

Here's how the Challenge works:

• 18 finalists will be selected from video entries, online and social media activity, and the iRacing competition and will then be invited to battle it out at the Showdown in Charlotte, where they will compete in a series of on-track challenges.  Some of the sport's biggest stars, including Michael Waltrip, Clint Bowyer, Brian Vickers, Jeff Burton and Danica Patrick, will serve as judges and coaches.  The competition will be filmed for television segments that will premiere in the fall.
• One champion will emerge in Victory Lane, winning professional training and the opportunity to earn their official competition license.
• Pending qualification and licensing, PEAK will equip the winner with a sponsored stock car to compete in a sanctioned race.

Living the Dream: Last Year's Winner on the Road to Success

Last year, Patrick Staropoli, a 24-year-old medical student from Plantation, Fla. who moonlights as a racecar driver, landed in Victory Lane.  Since winning the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge, Staropoli has piloted the No. 99 PEAK Toyota in two NASCAR K&N Pro Series West races, recording one top-5 and one top-10 finish.

"The PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge completely changed my life," said Staropoli. "The one thing I can tell competitors is that it doesn't matter how small you think your chance is. If you're really passionate about this sport and want to follow your dream, then submit a video that puts your drive and emotion on display. All it takes is one person to see it, believe in you, and give you the shot of your dreams."

Visit YouTube.com/PEAKCarCare to see Patrick's journey in last year's PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge.

More Ways to Win

Not ready to blaze around an asphalt oval at 170 miles per hour?  Test your luck with the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge Sweepstakes, running February 18^th – April 30^th, for the chance to win a 2014 Toyota Highlander, an iRacing simulator, a trip to Chicagoland for a VIP race experience, Richard Petty Driving Experience gift cards or a one-year membership to iRacing.com.      

PEAK has been actively involved in motorsports for more than 30 years, showcasing the excellence and competitive quality of its products through NASCAR, NHRA and the TORC series.  The company will continue to partner with Michael Waltrip Racing as a primary sponsor on Clint Bowyer's No. 15 Toyota in each of the next two NASCAR Sprint Cup seasons.  PEAK's BlueDEF brand will be the primary sponsor on Michael Waltrip's No. 66 Toyota in the Daytona 500.  PEAK is also featured as an associate sponsor on the No. 55 and No. 66 cars. 

To become the next PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge champion, head over to PEAKStockCarDream.com to submit your video audition and view the official rules.  Join PEAK Nation on Twitter @peakauto and at Facebook.com/peakauto.

About Old World Industries
Old World Industries, LLC is among the largest privately-held companies competing in the automotive aftermarket. The Northbrook, Illinois-based company enjoys a presence in various consumer and commercial product markets in more than 30 countries worldwide. Old World's brands include a full line of PEAK® products including Antifreeze, Motor Oil, Washer Fluid, Electronics and Wiper Blades; SIERRA® Antifreeze; Fleet Charge® Fully Formulated Coolant; Final Charge® Heavy Duty Global Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant; SmartBLADE™ Premium Wiper Blades; HERCULINER® Truck Bed Liner Kits; and BlueDEF® Diesel Exhaust Fluid and equipment. For more information, please visit peakauto.com.

About iRacing.com
The company was founded in 2004 by Dave Kaemmer and John Henry and subsequently released iRacing.com in August 2008. Kaemmer was co-founder of Papyrus Design Group, developers of award-winning racing simulations including "Grand Prix Legends" and NASCAR 2003." Henry is principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club, as well as co-owner of NASCAR's Roush Fenway Racing. iRacing.com has developed dozens of formal partnerships in the motorsport industry to help create the most authentic racing simulation in the world including with NASCAR, IndyCar, International Speedway Corporation, Speedway Motorsports, McLaren Electronics, Williams F1, Volkswagen, Ford, the Skip Barber Racing School and GM.

Video with caption: 2014 "PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge." Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgBQxst1sL4&feature=youtu.be

SOURCE Old World Industries