NASCAR'S Finest Burn Rubber in Fourth Annual Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge

CONCORD, N.C., May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennzoil announced today the lineup of drivers who will compete in this year's Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge, set to take place at 6:00 p.m. (ET) on May 21 at Charlotte Motor Speedway as part of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race pre-event festivities.

The Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge is 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. In addition to being a fan favorite of the weekend's activities, the Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge has become a star-studded event with celebrity judges and some of the biggest names in NASCAR competing for a $10,000 donation to their favorite charity.  Seven drivers will take to the track in this year's Victory Challenge, in identical stock cars prepared by the Richard Petty Driving Experience. A panel of judges will score the drivers' creativity during a 30-second freestyle burnout in order to select the top three, who will then be judged by the fans watching from the stands and on SPEED to pick the winner.

Along with Shell-Pennzoil driver Kurt Busch, this year's line-up will see 2010 Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge winner Joey Logano back to defend his title.  Clint Bowyer, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne and 2011 Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne will also be competing for their respective charities.

"I am really excited to be competing in the Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge this year," said Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge.  "There is no better feeling than a post-win burnout, and I am looking forward to doing some donuts before, and hopefully after, the NASCAR All-Star Race Saturday night. It is great to be associated with a sponsor like Pennzoil, and the icing on the cake for all of us involved is that the prize money goes to charity."

"The entire Pennzoil team is very pleased to be able to continue the tradition of the Victory Challenge for another year and further our involvement with the sport," said Rusty Barron, General Manager, Marketing, Shell Lubricants Americas. "Pennzoil is the most trusted motor oil brand in America(1), and that is due to our loyal consumers, which include many of today's race fans."

A new format this year allows for increased involvement from the fans in the stands and at home.  A text-to-vote opportunity will begin after the judges have selected the top three burnouts.  Fans at home watching on SPEED and in the stands can vote by texting in specific codes after seeing replays of the top three.  Footage of the top three burnouts will be replayed on Charlotte Motor Speedway's World's Largest HD Video Board, along with their matching text number.  The driver with the most votes at the end will be declared the winner, with $10,000 awarded to the driver's charity of choice.

The Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge will be televised live on May 21 at 6:00 p.m. (ET) during SPEED's pre-race coverage prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Showdown and NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race.

Tickets start at only $39 for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 21 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. An admission ticket to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race includes the Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge, Sprint Showdown and Dierks Bentley pre-race concert in the speedway infield.

About Pennzoil

Pennzoil® is an iconic American brand with a strong heritage of product performance and innovation that people trust to protect their vehicle; in fact, more people trust Pennzoil than any other motor oil(1).  Throughout its history, the makers of Pennzoil® motor oil have worked diligently to provide motorists with the latest motor oil technology, and that consistent pursuit of innovation has led to the latest line-up of Pennzoil products which actively cleanse and protect while meeting or exceeding industry specifications to offer exceptional engine protection. The line includes Pennzoil Ultra™ motor oil with Hyper Cleansing Technology™, Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil® Advanced Protection 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

Pennzoil® is produced and marketed by Shell Lubricants.

About Shell Lubricants

The term 'Shell Lubricants' collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying 13.4% of global lubricants volume. a The companies manufacture and blend products for use in consumer, heavy industrial and commercial transport applications. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX® and Jiffy Lube®.

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

SOURCE Pennzoil