Mooresville, NC – February 16, 2012 – The nations oldest produce trade association will join forces with one of the youngest drivers in the field on February 24th as Florida native Ross Chastain makes his first start at the World Center of Speed when the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series kicks off the 2012 racing season.
The National Watermelon Association will celebrate its 99th year of service adorning the hood of the SS Green Light Racing No. 08 Toyota and Chastain’s Tundra will be hauling watermelons around the Daytona speedway at nearly 190 miles per hour.
“We are so excited about this opportunity to promote watermelon to the entire nation,” said Bob Morrissey, NWA’s Executive Director, “Watermelon is one of the healthiest and nutritious fruit available anywhere in the world.”
“We are proud to be associated with a great young driver like Ross Chastain,” Morrissey continued. “Although he is only 19 years old, Ross is a smart driver who knows how to take care of his equipment and be there at the end of races. Our expectations are realistic, Ross will have a veteran crew behind him and anything can happen at Daytona. We know he will do a great job of getting good exposure for the National Watermelon Association.”
Chastain and the No. 08 Toyota will make a special appearance at the National Watermelon Association convention at Amelia Island to help promote the sponsorship. “They are bringing several busses of members to the race on Friday night,” said Chastain. “The SS Green Light team is proud to be partnered with a great organization that promotes the most popular year-round fruit in the country. I’m excited about hauling the watermelons around Daytona.”
The National Watermelon Association was organized in 1914 and has members in 30 states, Canada and Central America with chapters in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois-Indiana, Maryland-Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and the Western U.S.
The purpose of the Association is to promote the best interests of the Watermelon Industry from production to consumption by constantly seeking improvements in the growing, grading, handling, transportation, distribution and sale of watermelon.
For more information on the NWA, go to www.nationalwatermelonassociation.com or email nwa@tampabay.rr.com.
For more information about SS Green Light Racing visit www.SSRacingonline.com or email pr@ssracingonline.com.
