| Talladega, AL – Dreams came true once again at Talladega SuperSpeedway as the Aaron’s Dream Weekend rapped up yet another outstanding marketing success for Aaron’s. The Aaron’s name was branded all around the track with prominent signage, PA announcements, video commercials, and a product display tent featuring name brand merchandise that can be found at any Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership store. Aaron’s was represented on the track as well by Michael Waltrip and the number 99 Dream Machine for the Aaron’s 312 NASCAR Busch Series race on Saturday and by Hermie Sadler and the number 66 Dream Machine for the Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Nextel Cup race on Sunday. Sadler came aboard Friday night when a late deal was reached between the two parties that would put the Aaron’s name on the number 66 car because Kenny Wallace and 00 Dream Machine failed to qualify for the race.
The fans showed up in record numbers to the Aaron’s Dream Tent to get a look at all the name brand merchandise on display as well as register for the opportunity to win the 1955 Chevy Bel-Air that Aaron’s is giving away in honor of its 50th Anniversary. The fans were entertained by the popular Aaron’s Dream Girls and Mike Charmoli’s daughter’s clogging group, “The Southern Bells”. Also on display was the number 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine show car and a 1955 Chevy Bel-Air, like the one fans could register for. Over the four-day event approximately 10,000 fans from around the U.S. and Canada visited the Dream Tent generating new leads from coast to coast.
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Saturday began with rain, but there was one early bright spot with the announcement of the contract extension between Michael Waltrip Racing, Inc. and Aaron’s through 2008. With a rain delay, it was questionable if the Aaron’s 312 was going to be completed on Saturday but the weather finally cooperated and fans were able to enjoy the race.
Teresa Wade, an up and coming country star, started off the event with the singing of the National Anthem and the Grand Marshall Robin Loudermilk, COO and President of Aaron Rents Inc., gave the call to start the engines. Teresa Vauter was the winner of the “Should Michael let DW drive the Dream Machine” national promotion, and waved the green flag to start the race.
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The Aaron’s Dream Machine sported the 50th Anniversary gold paint scheme and started the racing in the 15th position, but the team was confident in the car’s set-up. The race started under caution because NASCAR official wanted to be sure the track was dry and fit for racing. Waltrip and the Dream Machine started the race going backwards and by lap 51 Waltrip began to complain about the water temperature being high. On lap 53, Waltrip pitted under caution the crew lifted the hood to check the water level and filled the car with gas. Lap 56 Waltrip brought the 99 car back down pit road adding more water and gas and out in the 24th position. The car seemed to come around as the Dream Machine began to move through the field and by lap 62 he was behind the leader in 2nd and caution flew for rain. After a short caution, racing resumed and the troubles returned and the Dream Machine started falling back. On lap 69, Waltrip came over the radio to say the car had overheated and the engine had blown. Waltrip and the Dream Team would finish 34th. Martin Truex Jr. would win the Aaron’s 312 for the second straight year. One positive note for Michael Waltrip Racing was that Kerry Earnhardt finished 5th in the 98 Bryan Meats car.
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Sunday was kicked off when President of Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership Ken Butler welcomed the fans to the sold out Talladega SuperSpeedway and congratulated PT Rodeo winner Kevin McClary who waved the green flag. Miss America Deidre Downs followed with the singing of the National Anthem, and Adam Sandler gave the command to fire the engines.
The Aaron’s Dream Machine was on the racetrack Sunday for the Aaron’s 499, but was piloted by a new driver with a new number. After Kenny Wallace failed to qualify the No. 00 Dream Machine Friday, a deal was made with the #66 Hermie Sadler team to decal his car like the Aaron’s Dream Machine and represent Aaron’s on-track.
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Hermie started the race in the 30th position where he stayed with the lead pack for the first half of the race but when the #43 of David Greene lost a tire on lap 39, it smashed into Hermie’s windshield and Hermie had to come into the pits to repair some hood damage and windshield adjustments. Hermie lost a lap when he was caught speeding leaving pit road. Even with a lap down Hermie again stayed with the lead pack until lap 132 when “the big one” at Talladega happened. Twenty-five cars were involved in this crash and they were piled up in turn one like a junkyard. The #66 Aaron’s Dream Machine managed to miss the crash and went on to be the lucky dog and get his lap back when Martin Truex Jr., who was driving the 3rd DEI car ran into the back of teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. who spun out and brought out another caution. Hermie Sadler and the #66 Dream Machine went on to finish the race in 29th because when he did get his lap he broke a rear end gear and was forced to park the Dream Machine for the rest of the day. The Aaron’s 499 was dominated by the #24 of Jeff Gordon. Gordon led 12 times for 139 laps of the Aaron’s 499 and he captured 72nd career Nextel Cup Win.
On top of the representation on and around the track, FOX Television and MRN Radio broadcast both weekend events live to more than 10 million viewers. Saturday’s 8-hour pre-race news coverage expanded Aaron’s representation. Viewers across the nation were entertained with driver interviews during Saturday’s rain delay. Michael Waltrip wore his Aaron’s hat and held his Aaron’s fire suit during his 3-minute interview inside of his R.V. where he spoke extensively about Aaron’s. The Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega SuperSpeedway marks the main event on Aaron’s sports marketing calendar. After an amazing sell out, of those in attendance and those watching, who can deny “Dreams Come True at Aaron’s”!
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