One Fan To Ride Shotgun With Kevin Harvick in Third Annual Pennzoil Ultra(TM) Victory Challenge

CONCORD, N.C., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Once again, Pennzoil is taking its role in the Pennzoil Ultra™ Victory Challenge to the ultimate level by allowing one lucky fan the chance to ride shotgun with Kevin Harvick during the 2010 event. The third annual Pennzoil Ultra™ Victory Challenge is set for May 22, 2010, at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) as part of the Sprint All-Star Race pre-event festivities.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100406/CL82356 )

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 burnout celebration abilities in classic NASCAR tire-smoking-donut style.  

One fan who enters the Pennzoil online sweepstakes will be randomly selected to ride "shotgun" during the Pennzoil Ultra™ Victory Challenge with Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Pennzoil Ultra Chevrolet, 2009 Pennzoil Victory Challenge winner and 2007 NASCAR Sprint All-Star champion.  The Pennzoil Ultra™ Victory Challenge "Ride Shotgun Sweepstakes" online promotion runs from April 1st - May 5th at (www.pennzoilultravictorychallenge.com). Fans can register online and get complete sweepstakes rules.

"Victory burnouts remind us of the exhilaration drivers can feel when their car's engine is running clean with Pennzoil Ultra™," said Debbie Van Schalkwyk, Pennzoil Global Brand Manager. "It takes a clean-running engine to make it to Victory Lane, and that is why Pennzoil Ultra™ is proud to be the title sponsor of this great event.   Nothing keeps your engine closer to factory clean than Pennzoil Ultra™."

The makers of Pennzoil® motor oils announced the launch of Pennzoil Ultra™ in March 2010.  This new, ultra-class motor oil became a reality after years of collaboration between the Pennzoil® brand team and Shell Lubricants' global technology team to formulate a motor oil that helps to keep engines as close to factory clean as possible.  The advanced proprietary synthetic formula of Pennzoil Ultra™ motor oil with Hyper Cleansing Technology™ far exceeds most car manufacturers' most stringent standards for cleanliness and protection(1)--nothing keeps an engine closer to factory clean(2). Plus, Pennzoil Ultra™ not only helps prevent sludge and other deposits, but also cleans up existing sludge. And no leading synthetic motor oil provides better wear protection than Pennzoil Ultra™.(3)

The Pennzoil Ultra™ Victory Challenge has become a star-studded event with celebrity judges, the biggest names in NASCAR competing, and interactive fan involvement.  Celebrity judges and drivers will be announced in the weeks leading up to the event.

Seven drivers will compete in the Victory Challenge, in stock cars identically prepared by the NASCAR Racing Experience.  Similar to 2009, judges will score the drivers' creativity in a 30-second freestyle burnout.  This year, however, drivers can also gain bonus points by knocking down strategically placed obstacles.  Drivers will start from turn four and will trigger the 30-second "Pennzoil Ultra™ Countdown Clock" as they cross the starting line.  The driver with the most points, including the creativity score from the judges and any bonus points, will be declared the winner, with $10,000 awarded to his or her charity of choice.

"The Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge is such a cool event," said Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet and winner of the 2009 Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge.  "It's awesome that Pennzoil found a way to put together a unique event that is fun and entertaining for both the fans and the drivers.  It gives drivers a whole different level to compete on, and what could be better than having bragging rights for the best burnout?

"This year, the No. 29 has Pennzoil Ultra both on the paint scheme and under the hood for the Sprint All-Star Race.  We won with Ultra under the hood the first time we ran it in the Budweiser Shootout earlier this year and we'll also be running Ultra under the hood for the Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge, so hopefully we can smoke the competition once again."

The Pennzoil Ultra™ Victory Challenge will be televised live on Saturday, May 22 at 6:15 p.m. ET during SPEED's pre-race coverage prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Showdown and NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race.    

About Pennzoil®

Pennzoil® is the #1-selling motor oil and one of the most trusted brands in America.  The Pennzoil line of quality products meets or exceeds industry specifications to offer exceptional engine protection, and includes Pennzoil Ultra™ motor oil with Hyper Cleansing Technology™, Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil® Advanced Protection motor oil, Pennzoil® SUV, Truck & Minivan 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. 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% of global lubricants volume.(4) The companies manufacture and blend products for use in applications ranging from consumer motor oil and food processing oils to heavy industrial lubricants and commercial transport oils. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell CASSIDA®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX®, a portfolio of leading car care brands and Jiffy Lube® lubrication services.

(1) Based on GF-4, Ford, Chrysler, GM and Ferrari specifications

(2) Based on Sequence VG sludge test using SAE 5W-30

(3) Based on Sequence IVA wear test using SAE 5W-30

(4) Kline & Company, "Competitive Intelligence for the Global Lubricants Industry, 2008 – 2018."

SOURCE Shell Lubricants