15 Grassroots Racers Selected As ‘Search For A Champion’ Finalists

#aftermarket – Fifteen talented grassroots racers have been selected as finalists and winners of $5,000 sponsorships in the 2015 “Search for a Champion” contest from Federal-Mogul Motorparts’ iconic Champion Spark Plug brand. Each of the 15 racers – representing asphalt, dirt and water/snow categories – will now compete for the $50,000 Search for a Champion grand prize as members of the Champion online community vote for their favorite entries at www.AlwaysAChampion.com.

Search for a Champion enables grassroots racers to battle for $125,000 in sponsorship packages by creating brief videos that demonstrate their commitment to winning a racing championship with the help of Champion spark plugs. The contest builds upon the Champion brand’s more than 100-year heritage of supporting racers in virtually every form of engine-driven competition.

“The continued growth of this contest shows that the Champion brand’s connection with the grassroots racing community has never been stronger,” said Jessica Wynn, global director, digital marketing and strategy for Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “Racers are competing not only for much-needed financial support and exposure, but also for the honor of displaying the iconic red-and-black Champion bow tie on their ride.”

Search for a Champion finalists for 2015 are:

Name                                    Location                          Vehicle Class/Type

Jason Alder                           Cooksville, Md.                   Go-Kart

Cody & Brock Bauman          Eureka, Ill.                          Dirt Modified

Spencer Boyd                       Concord, N.C.                    Late Model Super Truck

Carly Jo Ellingson                 Rapid City, S.D.                  Pro E.T./Super Pro

B.Fenton/D.Bell                    Grovedale, AB Canada       World Jet Boat

Joey Frasur                          Liberty, Ind.                         Super Mod. Truck Pulling

Monty Mandros                   Salt Lake City, Utah              Super Late Model

Austin Prock                        Avon, Ind.                             National Midget

Josh Rice                            Verona, Ky.                           Dirt Modified

Ryan Richardson               Clinton, Utah                          Motorcycle Road Racing

Kelsey Rowlings                 Lake Mary, Fla.                     Drifting

Brandon Sheppard            New Berlin, Ill.                       Dirt Late Model

Brian Shirley                      Chatham, Ill.                          Dirt Lake Model

Kris Whitfield                    Littleton, Colo.                         Super Gas Drag Racer

Bill Wise                           Northville, Mich.                       Formula 2000

Final-round voting will take place February 24 through March 24, 2015, and the Search for a Champion $50,000 grand prize winner will be announced March 31, 2015. To review the 15 finalist videos and cast your vote, simply visitwww.AlwaysaChampion.com.

In addition to the 15 finalists, Federal-Mogul Motorparts has selected 12 contest participants who will each receive $500 Search for a Champion Honorable Mention awards:

Name                              Location                                Vehicle Class/Type

Joel&Kevin Belanger       Washington, N.H.                    Go-Kart

Mandy Chick                   DeSoto, Kan.                           Late Model & Dirt B-Modified

Timothy Culp                   Sheridan, Ark.                         Super Late Model

Ricky Davis                      East Arlington, Vt.                    Sportsman Modified

Cole Glasson                    Rockwall, Texas                      Southeast Super Truck

Allen Huffman                   Hickory, N.C.                          Late Model & Truck

Ty Hulsey                         Owasso, Okla.                         Midget Series

Jesse Lowe                      Crossville, Tenn.                     Late Model

Cole Peschang                  South Beloit, Ill.                      Sprint, Dirt & Go-Kart

Crist Pittenger                   Bismark, N.D.                         Mod 4

Faith & Rick Schuch          Weidman, Mich.                      Go-Kart

Jason & Cody Wilds          Exeter, Ont., Canada               Sprint & Dirt Jr. Late Model