Field Set for Fifth Annual Pennzoil Victory Burnout Challenge

CONCORD, N.C., May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Defending event champion Kasey Kahne and 2010 "burnout" winner Joey Logano will be joined by three of NASCAR's biggest names in the fifth annual Pennzoil Victory Burnout Challenge as part of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race pre-event festivities taking place at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 19.

Known as NASCAR's version of a "slam dunk contest," with the sport's top talent showing off their post-win celebration abilities in classic NASCAR tire-smoking burnouts, the Pennzoil Victory Burnout Challenge has become a fan-favorite staple in the weekend's activities. Five drivers will participate in this year's competition, burning rubber in identical stock cars prepared by the Richard Petty Driving Experience with a chance to win a $10,000 donation to the their favorite charity. A panel of judges will score the drivers' creativity during a 30-second freestyle burnout.

In addition to Kahne and Logano, the 2012 Pennzoil Victory Burnout Challenge line-up will consist of newcomer Shell-Pennzoil driver AJ Allmendinger and his Penske Racing teammate Brad Keselowski in addition to Clint Bowyer, who has participated in all four previous events.

"I'm excited to be competing in my first-ever Pennzoil Victory Burnout Challenge," said AJ Allmendinger, driver of the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge and 2008 Sprint Showdown race winner. "I was a part of the broadcast team for last year's event. Based off the energy and excitement from both the fans and participating drivers, I was quite envious that I wasn't buckled into a race car performing my best donut. I hope that I'll be practicing my victory burnout in the competition for use in post-race activities later that evening. As a great supporter of me and my team, I applaud Pennzoil for all their efforts surrounding the All-Star weekend by keeping the fans and driver's charities in mind."

Pennzoil engineers work closely with race teams, such as Penske Racing, to develop motor oil formulations to help maximize performance and engine reliability for the team throughout the season.  Each tweak to the formulations contributes to the advancement of the brand's technology. This relationship affords the brand a true testing ground for Pennzoil® motor oils under some of the harshest racing conditions.  The collaborative effort provides Pennzoil® with the ability to test existing and new motor oil technology developed by Pennzoil's industry leading scientists to gain insights from the track that can be translated directly into the formulation of its consumer motor oils. 

"Pennzoil is glad to return the Burnout Challenge to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the fifth-consecutive year," said Bree Sandlin, Pennzoil Global Brand Manager. "It is always great to see a driver perform celebratory burnouts while connecting with fans on the frontstretch after a win just like Pennzoil enjoys connecting with consumers by providing them the most trusted oil brand in America. We couldn't be more proud to incorporate exhilarating moments for Pennzoil, drivers and race fans alike."

Fan involvement has always been important to Pennzoil and this year's format is no different. A text-to-vote opportunity will begin after the conclusion of the first burnout. Fans in the stands at Charlotte Motor Speedway can vote by texting in specific codes that will be displayed on the World's Largest HD Video Board. The top-two drivers will advance to the final voting round and a celebrity judging panel will determine the winner. The 2012 champion will be awarded $10,000 for their designated charity, bragging rights and a guaranteed spot in the 2013 Pennzoil Victory Burnout Challenge.

The Pennzoil Victory Burnout Challenge will be tape-delayed and can be heard on Sirius XM Satellite Radio (channel 90) on May 20 at 11:00 a.m. (ET) prior to the start of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race coverage from Iowa Speedway.

An admission ticket to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race includes the Pennzoil Victory Burnout Challenge, Sprint Showdown and Blake Shelton pre-race concert in the speedway infield. Tickets start at $49 for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 19 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and can be purchased by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

ABOUT PENNZOIL
At Pennzoil, we're car people.  We love cars and the role they play in our lives. Some of our most cherished memories are made possible by cars. That's why we tirelessly pursue the latest advances in oil technology - to provide car lovers, just like us, with state-of-the-art motor oils that can help keep engines running strong for a long, long time. At Pennzoil, motor oil is our passion, but cars are our way of life.  Long love cars. 

Pennzoil® is the most trusted motor oil brand in America.^* Each Pennzoil motor oil is formulated with special Active Cleansing Agents™ that not only help prevent, but also clean out existing sludge.  The full line of Pennzoil quality products includes Pennzoil Ultra™ motor oil with Hyper Cleansing Technology™, Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil® motor oil, Pennzoil Gold™ motor oil, Pennzoil® High Mileage Vehicle® motor oil, and Pennzoil Marine® engine oil. For more information about Pennzoil products, please visit www.pennzoil.com. 

* Based on a survey of licensed drivers conducted by a leading research firm January 2005 – December 2010.

SOURCE Pennzoil