The Aaron’s Dream Machines hit Daytona International Speedway this weekend to kickoff the 2006 NASCAR season and Aaron’s marketing department hit the streets around Daytona promoting the Aaron’s Great American Tail Gate Party held at C0051 in Daytona Beach, FL.

The big news this week was Hermie Sadler’s 00 Dream Machine making the Daytona 500 based on his qualifying time last Sunday. It is only the second time that Aaron’s has had a car in the Great American race.

Hermie started toward the back of the 43-car field and bided his time during the first half of the race looking to avoid “the big one” then work his way toward the front with 100-miles to go. “We were a little bit tight.” Hermie said. “We didn’t have the car driving as good as we needed to be as competitive as we wanted to be, but we had a pretty good day going. We were still on the lead lap and still adjusting on it. We were looking forward to the last couple of laps, but something happened to the engine. If it weren’t for Robert and Doug Yates, and Jack Roush, we wouldn’t be here in the first place, so everybody chipped in and we had a great effort.

Thanks to Aaron’s and everybody involved and even though we didn’t finish the race, it was a good momentum builder for us and we’ll go to California and try to keep getting better.”


Michael Waltrip had a guaranteed spot in Saturdays Busch Series race but was out-horsepowered during qualifying and started 42nd. The #99 Aaron’s Dream Machine handled well and Michael patiently worked his way up, avoiding several crashes and spins early. Waltrip drafted into the top-10 after 50-laps, and didn’t stop there. “The car is handling great”, Michael reported later in the race. As the laps wore down, Waltrip drafted into the top-5 and made a charge to the front. With six laps to go, Michael, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Tony Stewart went three-wide swapping the lead for three laps, bringing the crowd of over 100,000 to their feet. The excitement didn’t stop even on the last lap as the Dream Machine was bumped from behind and sent spinning through the front-stretch grass to take the checkered flag. Unfortunately, the bump cost him a top-ten finish and Michael finished 15th.

As the NASCAR Season kicked off this past week at the speedway, Aaron’s Sports Marketing Team held their own festivities at the Daytona store (C0052). Despite the damp weather and chilly conditions, the “Aaron’s Great American Tailgate Party” kicked off with a bang on Thursday! With live music from Atlanta native, Gareth Asher, race fans found themselves dancing in the rain with the one and only Aaron’s Lucky Dog. Fans were also treated to great food along with autographs and photos with the Orlando Prowler dancers. Fans were given the opportunity to register-to-win an autographed Michael Waltrip helmet with a winner drawn each day, each entry was then placed into a drawing for a 52” HDTV compliments of Aaron’s.

As the weekend progressed and the clouds disappeared, Aaron’s Great American Tailgate Party continued to make even more noise. With a much greater turnout on Friday, fans were lined up out the door anxiously waiting to meet and greet Hermie Sadler, driver of the #00 Aaron’s Dream Machine. Sadler signed hats, t-shirts, and autograph cards before saying goodbye to the crowd who was there to wish him good luck on Sunday when he competed in the Daytona 500.covered by FOX at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Several other prizes were given away leading up to the drawing for the Michael Waltrip helmet. Because everyone is a Lucky Dog at Aaron’s, lucky fans were walking away with t-shirts, autographed Jeff Gordon and Martin Truex Jr. victory lane hats, die cast cars, calculators, cheer sticks and so much more.

The Aaron’s Great American Tailgate Party entertained spectators of all ages and helped gain new customer leads from around the country.

This weekend is full of racing with Michael and Hermie heading out to Fontana, CA for the Busch and Cup events this weekend. The Cup cars qualify Friday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 PM eastern and the Busch cars qualify and race Saturday, Feb. 25.