General Tire Announces the Winner of the 2011 Miss Mint 400 Competition - Keli Snyder

FORT MILL, S.C., March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2011 General Tire Miss Mint 400 competition comes to an exciting finish.  After a fierce online voting competition and rounds of interviews, General Tire crowned Keli Snyder, a University of Southern California journalism student and a television host for Lucas Oil, as this year's Miss Mint.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110328/CL72696 )

"Keli is the perfect candidate for this title," said Dana Zamalloa, manager of PR and communications, General Tire.  "She's ambitious, driven, has a strong passion for motorsports, and understands that character is an important part of this legendary title.  We're proud to have her represent General Tire as our Miss Mint 400 for 2011."  

Girls from across the country competed for this year's Miss Mint crown, which saw a record number of voters and entrants on www.generaltire.com.  The title brings with it the prestigious Miss Mint title, a prize package, national exposure and a General Tire photo shoot, but only one girl can earn the title.  

Keli Snyder, 21, was a clear winner.  During the interview portion of the competition, Snyder's background in motorsports, her understanding of the legendary Mint 400 competition and race, her witty answers and her passion for off-road racing set her apart from the other candidates.  Currently, Snyder is the field reporter for the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, which air weekly on the SPEED channel and on VERSUS.  She was also formerly the host of the Lucas Oil Women's Motocross Championship and has worked as a pit reporter for the Monster Jam World finals and at other Lucas Oil motorsports events.  

Snyder accompanied Team GT as they unleashed their fury at this year's legendary Mint 400 March 25 through 27 in Las Vegas.  Snyder officially started each race vehicle at the start line with the dropping of the green flag.  In the race's heyday, the Mint was famous for its celebrity drivers and the Mint 400 Girls.  Throughout the competition's history, the title has been given to a number of famous women, including Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman) and Wheel of Fortune letter-turner, Vanna White.   

For more information on the Mint 400, "The Great American Desert Race," check out www.snoreracing.net.  If you can't be there to see all the action first-hand, you can get up-to-the-minute information on all Team GT races at www.twitter.com/teamgt.  

For media information, visit www.ctamedia.com or www.ctamedia.mobi.  

For more than 90 years General Tire has offered a complete quality line of ultra-high performance, passenger, light truck, off-road and commercial tires to meet all your needs.  General Tire is a proud supporter of Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing, Chili Bowl, Pro-Pulling, Late- Model Dirt Series, Drag Boat Series, Boost Mobile FreestyleMx.com Tour, Spec Tire of Trophylite and Pro Truck.  Team GT supports off-road and short course teams including BJ Baldwin, Carl Renezeder, Rick D. Johnson, Jerry Zaiden/Jason Campbell, Jason/Rich Voss, Scott Steinberger, Ed "Clyde" Stout, Ted Hunnicutt, Marc Burnett, Kent Kroeker, Mikey Childress, Carey Hart, Josh Merrell, Casey Currie, Robby Woods and Jeff "Ox" Kargola.  

General Tire is part of Continental Tire the Americas, LLC. (www.generaltire.com). CTA, based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, is a company of Germany-based Continental AG. With sales of approximately EUR 20 billion in 2009 Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental contributes enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently employs approximately 134,500 in 46 countries.

SOURCE General Tire