Walgreens and Roush Fenway Racing Stage Season-Long "Race Around America" Fueled by Fan Input and Interaction

DEERFIELD, Ill., March 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Walgreens (NYSE:WAG) (Nasdaq:WAG) and Roush Fenway Racing have launched a partnership to stage "The Race Around America" Interactive Promotion Presented by Balance™ Financial Prepaid MasterCard from Walgreens.

The multi-faceted campaign will be fueled by fan interaction, and will culminate with the awarding of the grand prize:  the fully-enhanced ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang used in the promotion by Roush Fenway drivers.

By registering their cards for the promotion, Balance™ Financial Card cardholders will be entered in the sweepstakes portion of the promotion*.  Cardholders can earn additional automatic entries –- up to five times per day -- by making a purchase or reloading their Balance™ Financial Cards.  Consumers can enter between Feb. 23 and Oct. 15, 2014.   Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.), 18 years of age and older are eligible to enter. For complete rules and regulations, visit www.RaceAroundAmerica.com. No purchase or load necessary to enter to win.  (To access the Internet press kit, visit http://newzbee.com/racearoundamerica/)

The Balance™ Financial Prepaid MasterCard from Walgreens is the safe alternative to cash that's big on convenience and small on fees. Fans who purchase the Card will get the features they expect in a prepaid card and rewards that they'll appreciate, like earning Balance^® Rewards* points faster just for using the Card. The Balance™ Financial Card can be used with confidence to shop or pay bills everywhere Debit MasterCard is accepted.

Throughout the promotion, Roush Fenway Racing drivers Greg Biffle, Ryan Reed, Trevor Bayne and Chris Buescher will drive the Mustang from a concluding NASCAR race city to the next, making pit stops to meet with fans along the way.  Webisodes from the drivers' journeys will be produced, as well.

The series of webisodes can be viewed at www.Walgreens.com/RaceAroundAmerica.
Additionally, at the website consumers can:

• Register for a chance to win a trip to Miami and to win the fully upgraded ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang that was driven and "Raced Around America" by four of NASCAR's premiere drivers
• Vote on the routes the drivers take and upgrades made to the Mustang
• Use their Balance™ Financial Cards to help the drivers earn the upgrades fans vote on. A new Roush Performance upgrade will be installed on the car throughout the promotion, as long as the ROUSH-O-METER gauge on the website redlines. By joining the conversation at #RaceAroundAmerica, liking us on Facebook or making purchases and reloads with their cards, consumers will be helping the drivers qualify for the next upgrade to the Mustang. Fans can monitor progress by watching the ROUSH-O-METER on www.RaceAroundAmerica.com to ensure that the meter gets pinned and the enhancements that were voted on can get installed.

Fans have already dictated the Mustang's design to be used during the promotion through online voting, selecting a patriotic design scheme as the fan favorite.   The design represents an American iconic symbol – the American flag – in a nontraditional depiction. Smooth gradients starting at the sharp tip of the hood line of this great American muscle car gives a look of momentum and speed. When the promotion is over, the design will be removed and the winner will receive what's underneath…a beautiful, bright red ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang.

"The eye-catching design reflects the patriotism for which NASCAR fans are well known, and we are proud that our Race Around America Mustang will sport red, white and blue, so fitting for one of America's greatest auto brands," said John Schmidtke, Manager, Walgreens Loyalty Marketing.

About Walgreens

As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2013 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to be the first choice in health and daily living for everyone in America, and beyond. Each day, Walgreens provides more than 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates 8,206 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers, provider practices, and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 750 locations throughout the country.

Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series' with championship drivers Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, Ryan Reed and Chris Buescher. Having celebrated 25 winning years in 2012, Roush Fenway is the leader in NASCAR marketing solutions.

*NO PURCHASE OR RELOAD NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C) 18 YEARS AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes ends 10/15/14.

*Due to state and federal laws, points cannot be earned or redeemed on some items, and points will not be earned in a transaction where Store Credit or Redemption Dollars are used. For terms and conditions, visit Walgreens.com/Balance.  The Bancorp Bank is not affiliated in any way with Walgreens Balance® Rewards and does not endorse or sponsor this product.

The Balance Financial Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank pursuant to license from MasterCard International Incorporated. The Bancorp Bank; Member FDIC. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. Fees and restrictions apply, see store for details. Balance Financial Card and all services related to the card are not available in Hawaii and U.S. Virgin Islands. Card may be used everywhere Debit MasterCard is accepted.

To access the Internet press kit, visit http://newzbee.com/racearoundamerica/

Media Contacts:

Cindy Kosydor
Senior Director of Public Relations
Marketing Werks
312.784.1608
[email protected]

Kevin Woods
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
Roush Fenway Racing
704.957.1138
[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140305/CG77085

SOURCE Walgreens