(New York, Charlotte, NC, & San Francisco) ( May 4, 2012) — Rocket21, (the only social networking platform designed to safely connect kids and teens with professionals and experts representing industries, professions, passions, and movements that span the globe), joined with Roush Fenway Racing and Charlotte Motor Speedway to announce a collaboration that will harness the popularity of NASCAR to help kids consider the importance of teamwork in their everyday lives – and their futures.
Rocket21 is hosting an essay and video competition which invites kids and teens under 18 to consider what fuels THEIR passions, what teamwork means to them, and what kind of competitor they are – or would like to become. Rocket21 members will engage with Roush Fenway Racing drivers, crew chiefs, and more – to learn about the sport from an insider’s perspective. Later this month, a Rocket21 member and his or her family will attend the HISTORY 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the historic Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.
“Professional auto racing requires a mind-boggling range of skilled and talented professionals working together at every race,” said Mark Grayson, Rocket21 CEO. “Our Dream Big at the Races experience and activities with Roush Fenway and Charlotte Motor Speedway will reinforce this for kids in fun, engaging ways.”
NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Trevor Bayne, the youngest winner in the history of the Daytona 500, will be key players in the Rocket21 program.
“On and off the track, the competition between Trevor and Ricky is well-known,” noted Steve Newmark, president of Roush Fenway Racing. “But, what we’re excited for kids to learn more about – is that the two are also great friends, and extraordinarily supportive of one another. And, perhaps most importantly – that dozens of mechanics, engineers, and crew members bring THEIR amazing skills to the track in support of the race team. Winning at the highest level of racing – as in most things in life – really is a team effort, and we’re excited to share some of Roush Fenway’s tradition of winning with the Rocket21 community.”
“Charlotte Motor Speedway is always searching for ways to engage young race fans and it didn’t take much convincing for us to jump at this creative partnership opportunity with Rocket21,” said Adrian Parker, Director of Communications at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “The HISTORY 300 is the perfect event for these kids to get acclimated to NASCAR and discover the importance of teamwork in the NASCAR garage. While a select few will receive the behind-the-scenes, V.I.P. treatment, it’s important to note that all kids 13 and under can get in free to the HISTORY 300 with a paying adult.”
For more information about the Rocket21, “Dream Big at the Races” Competition, click here.
About Roush Fenway Racing
Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series with championship drivers Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Trevor Bayne. Celebrating 25 winning years in 2012, Roush Fenway is the leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, pioneering its exclusive Roush Fenway OnTrack sponsorship measurement services, motorsport’s first team-focused TV show and its award-winning social marketing channel RickyvsTrevor.com.
Visit www.RoushFenway.com, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/roushfenway and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway. For sponsorship inquiries call John Bauersfeld at 704.720.4621.
About Charlotte Motor Speedway
Tickets for the HISTORY 300 and Global RallyCross double header at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 26, start at just $25 and kids 13 and under get in free with a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.
For daily updates on May race activities, connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.
For more information contact the Charlotte Motor Speedway communications department at 704-455-3209.
About Rocket21
Rocket21 is the only social networking platform designed to safely connect kids and teens with professionals and experts representing industries, professions, passions, and movements that span the globe. Rocket21 provides unprecedented access to world-class experts and organizations while protecting them with a combination of state-of-the-art, real-time filtering and human moderation, extensive safety and security precautions, and a specialized infrastructure designed to keep kids safe.
Like Rocket21 on Facebook and follow @Rocket21 on Twitter.
