15 Finalists Named in $125,000 ‘Search for a Champion’ Contest

Fifteen grassroots racers representing several different forms of engine-driven competition have been selected as finalists in the 2013 “Search for a Champion” racing sponsorship contest, which will award $125,000 in sponsorship cash from Federal-Mogul’s) iconic Champion brand of spark plugs, wiper blades and chemical additives. Each finalist will receive a $5,000 Champion sponsorship and a chance to earn the contest’s $50,000 grand prize. Voting for the grand prize sponsorship begins Friday, February 22, at www.AlwaysaChampion.com. The finalists ? announced at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway by NASCAR Sprint Cup driver and Champion spokesperson Kevin Harvick ? were selected from more than 160 racers and teams who submitted two-minute video entries to the www.AlwaysaChampion.com website. Over 81,000 votes were cast by racers, fans and members of the Champion community, and final judging was led by Harvick. “Each of our finalists did an outstanding job of demonstrating their passion for racing and a commitment to take their skills to the next level in 2013,” Harvick said. “I’m proud to be associated with this innovative contest because Federal-Mogul and the Champion brand are helping to build the next generation of racing superstars.” The 2013 “Search for a Champion” finalists are: Name City/State Vehicle Class/Type Kolby Araki Clovis, Calif. USAC Sprint Car Cody Correia Lake Elsinore Calif. Motorcycle/Motocross Jason Feger Bloomington, Ill. Dirt Late Model Molly Helmuth Seattle, Wash. Super Late Model Ted Hodgdon Danbury, Conn. Junior Outlaw Kart Jolly Rogers Racing Des Moines, Wash. Jet Sprint Boat Andy Lieders Colby,Wis. Snowmobile/Snocross Tristan Nunez Boca Raton, Fla. Prototype Lite D.J. Osborne Lehi, Utah Super Late Model Bobby Pierce Oakwood, Ill. Dirt Late Model Carl Rydquist Redondo Beach, Calif. Time Attack & Drifting Donnie Steward West Burlington, Iowa Dirt Winged Sprint Car Tyler Tanner Auburn, Wash. Straight Rail Late Model Taylor Toftemark Castle Rock, Wash. Top Alcohol Jr. Dragster Wes White Pacoima, Calif. Vintage Motorcycle Federal-Mogul also announced five “Honorable Mention” winners, each of whom will receive a $500 Visa Gift Card. They are: Alex Cognac, Marvin, N.C.; Sierra Jackson, Middleton, Idaho; Nick Lascuola, Abington, Mass.; Jeremy Lowe, Sarasota, Fla.; and Pittbull Motorsports, Bismarck, N.D. Anyone can vote for their favorite entrant in the $50,000 grand-prize round of the “Search for a Champion” contest by registering at www.AlwaysaChampion.com. Those who register and vote will automatically be entered into a sweepstakes for 200 free Champion T-shirts as well as posters autographed by Harvick. Voting is open February 22 through March 24, 2013, and Harvick will announce the $50,000 “Champion’s champion” at 9 a.m. E.T. on April 2.