LOUDON, NH (June 26, 2008) -- The wait for the historic “Extra Mile” at
New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s “Magic Mile” is over. This weekend, for
the first time in motorsports history, an extra mile is being added to
the Magic Mile’s summer classic NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, making it
the LENOX® Industrial Tools 301.
“It’s going to be different, that is for sure,” said the track’s
all-time winner Jeff Burton, who will be driving the No. 31 LENOX
Industrial Tools Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in the monumental
race. “I can tell you that our team is going to go the extra mile to
make sure we are in a position to lead that extra mile when it counts. I
have won 300-lap races at New Hampshire. There is no reason why we can’t
lead one more mile and take home the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 this
year.”
Why the added lap? The extra mile was added to recognize LENOX customers
-- users and suppliers of industrial tools who perform physically
demanding jobs and still find time to give back to their communities.
LENOX is celebrating the event with the LENOX Extra Mile Hero Program,
where someone could receive up to $1 million to split equally with their
charity of choice. LENOX, a leading manufacturer of premium power tool
accessories, torches, solder and band saw blades, is in its third year
as sponsor of New Hampshire’s annual summer racing tradition.
“We know there are heroes out there and the LENOX Extra Mile Heroes
Contest is a great way to spotlight those who exemplify the spirit of
going the extra mile,” said Rich Mathews, vice president of marketing
for LENOX. “Its also important to us to have this contest driven by our
customers – the stories they submit and vote for will ultimately
determine our hero.”
“LENOX is going the extra mile to recognize heroes and rightfully so,”
added Burton. “I would not be surprised to see one driver lead lap 300
and another driver lead lap 301 – all because of this great program by
LENOX that could award someone and their charity $1 million. I think
it’s pretty special that LENOX is bringing a couple of their heroes to
the race to serve as the official Grand Marshal.”
Denny Hamlin is the race’s defending champion. Current Series points
leader Kyle Busch captured the checkered flag in 2006 while Burton, who
is second in the 2008 standings, has won at the track four times,
including his 2000 performance where he led every lap. Burton holds the
race speed record of 117.134 mph, set in 1997. Sunday’s race starts at 2
p.m. EST.
Daytona 500 Champion Ryan Newman holds the track qualifying record of
133.357 mph, set in 2003 on the 1.058-mile track, which features
unpredictable variable degree banking. The full 43-car field will be
determined Friday at 3:10 p.m. during qualifying. Dave Blaney started
from the pole last year.
Tickets remain for the event. Fans are urged to call the track’s Ticket
Hotline at 603-783-4931 or log onto www.nhms.com to reserve their seat
for this historic race. Upon arriving at the track, fans will notice
numerous cosmetic upgrades to the facility, including new signage,
branding, new restrooms, etc., all in time for the LENOX Industrial
Tools 301.
To learn more about the LENOX Extra Mile Heroes Program, details are
available at www.lenoxhero.com. The program is open to users and
suppliers of industrial tools, 21 and over in the United States and
Canada. Submissions are being accepted through November 30, 2008.
To Nominate:
To enter go to www.lenoxhero.com and submit the story of the hero in
your life and why you think they should be the LENOX Extra Mile Hero.
LENOX wants to know how the nominee has gone the extra mile for an
individual or group and how their actions represent quality and
integrity among users and suppliers of industrial tools. All entries
must be received on or before November 30, 2008. Nominations will be
reviewed by a panel of judges and ten finalists will be announced in
January 2009. Finalists will each receive a check for $3,100 and to go
the extra mile, LENOX will match that amount for each of the finalist’s
charity of choice. All ten finalists and a guest are also invited to
attend the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 race scheduled for June 28, 2009,
where the grand prize winner will be announced.
To Vote:
Beginning on February 1, 2009, all of the finalists and their stories
will be posted to www.lenoxhero.com. Customers will be asked to vote on
who they think should be named the ultimate LENOX Extra Mile Hero. The
finalist who receives the most votes will not only carry the honor of
being the LENOX Extra Mile Hero, but they also win the Grand Prize of
$31,000 as well as an additional $31,000 to be donated to their charity
of choice. But that’s not all! If Burton wins the LENOX Industrial Tools
301 race scheduled for June 28, 2009, LENOX will increase the grand
prize to $1 million for the winner to split with their charity of choice!