July 9, 2005 (Hickory, NC)
July 9, 2005 Hickory, NC- The Aaron’s Dream Team and sports marketing team invaded Hickory, NC and Hickory Motor Speedway (HMS) this weekend for the Aaron’s 250. The Dream Team would field two teams for the first time this season. As usual Ken Butler III (KBIII) would pilot the 99 Dream Machine and his teammate would be none other than his brother, Brett Butler. Brett was making his USAR Hooters ProCup Series debut in the 00 Dream Machine.
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The weekend kicked off with an autograph session with KB III and Brett at Franchisee Joe Bost’s Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership store in Hickory. The event brought fans from all over the area, and they were treated to hot wings from Hooters and were given the opportunity to register for various prizes including a chance to be the honorary starter of the Aaron’s 250. Ronny Mason, Divisional Sales Manager for Eastern Operations, entertained the crowd with Aaron’s and Michael Waltrip trivia and facts, while Joe and Ben Bost and their store team were tremendous hosts.
After the autograph session, the Aaron’s team attended the local Class A baseball game, to support another member of the Aaron’s family, where the Rome (Ga.) Braves were playing the Hickory Crawdads. Clint Sammons, son of Bill Sammons, Aaron’s Director of Acquisitions, is the starting catcher for Rome. In fact, Clint is one of the Atlanta Braves leading prospects in the minors, after being drafted following a strong career at The University of Georgia. Rome won 6-2!
The sports marketing team started off Saturday by providing the fans with the opportunity to view some of the various dream products available at Aaron’s in the corporate display tent. Fans also had the opportunity to register for a chance to win the 1955 Chevy that Aaron’s will be giving away in November at Texas Motor Speedway and for registering the fans received different give-a-ways like hats, t-shirts, and die casts. Joe Bost’s store associates worked the Aaron’s display along with the Aaron’s marketing team of Julie Song, Travis Blewett, and John Allbritton, completing short order forms and telling the Aaron’s story. The marketing opportunities during race weekend are limitless.
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The two Dream Machines took the track around 12:00pm for a two-hour practice session. KBIII would put down a best lap of 15.98 sec. good enough for 23rd. Brett would pace the short track in 16.02 sec. placing him 27th in practice. Toby Porter’s would be the fastest car in practice with a best lap of 15.69.
Qualifying for the Aaron’s 250 started at 5:00 pm and the heat had not let up at all. It would be challenging for the Butler brothers because they had to run early. Brett faced the biggest test of his young racing career by having to qualify on time against this strong field. And, KB III had a strange occurrence when he was penalized 1 of 2 qualifying laps for not having his helmet on in the car while waiting his turn, a rule no one knew about.
Since the second qualifying lap is usually the fastest, this also put KB III to the test. In front of a large crowd, including a strong group of Aaron’s associates there to show their support, both drivers came through and qualified. Defending series champion Clay Rogers would take the pole for the Aaron’s 250, with all cars’ qualifying times just split seconds apart.
As the sun began to set on the track where past and present stars Ralph Earnhardt, Lee Petty, Ned Jarrett, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Jarrett, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. first made names for themselves, the future stars of racing were geared up ready to tackle the track nicknamed the birthplace of NASCAR’s stars. Hickory Franchisee Joe Bost and Ben Bost participated in the opening ceremonies welcoming the race fans on behalf of Aaron’s, and during driver introductions. Aaron’s customer Tina Owens, from Newton, N.C. waved the green flag, and thought it was the greatest experience of her life. The two Dream Machines would start out 27th and 28th, and immediately began working their way through the field on the difficult .36 of a mile track, where they had to avoid numerous wrecks and lots of congestion. Both Butler brothers drove well and advanced throughout the race. At one point KB III was running in the top 10 until he was caught up in an unavoidable accident. Brett was also forced off his line a couple of times but kept coming back to finish strong.
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KB III would bring the 99 Dream Machine home with a 15th place finish, his second top 15 in as many races. Brett and the 00 Dream Machine finished 21st in his first ever USAR Hooters Pro Cup race. To finish his first race running was a big accomplishment and every Aaron’s associate who attended the race felt very excited. Some of the Aaron’s family who made the trip to Hickory were Bert Hansen and his son Hunter, Dave Buck and his son Jarred, Mike and Melinda Hickey, Fonda Williams and her family, Joe and Jennifer Bost, Ben Bost, Ronny Mason, Travis John, Russell Greer and family, Dave and Rita Boggan, Greg Belloff, Tim Poteet, and Mark Rudnick.. Everyone enjoyed themselves and was proud of the Butler brothers performances and the amount of exposure that Aaron’s gained.
Shane Huffman would go on to win the Aaron’s 250 and the sixth ProCup race of the season. Mid-American Vice-President Bert Hansen presented the trophy.
Ken Butler III and the Aaron’s Dream Machine will be at Southern National Speedway in Kenly, NC on July 23.
Brett Butler will drive the late model Aaron’s #00 Dream Machine this Saturday night, July 16, in Hickory, NC.
GO TO THE AARON’S PHOTO GALLERY AND CLICK ON THE AARON’S 250 IN HICKORY
*** Watch the Aaron’s 250 on the Speed Channel ***
Saturday July 16 10:00pm
Friday July 22 12:00pm
Friday July 22 3:00am
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