15 grassroots racers selected as Search for a Champion finalists

Fifteen talented grassroots racers have been selected as finalists and winners of $5,000 sponsorships in the 2015 “Search for a Champion” contest from Federal-Mogul Motorparts’ iconic Champion^® Spark Plug brand. Each of the 15 racers – representing asphalt, dirt and water/snow categories – will now compete for the $50,000 Search for a Champion grand prize as members of the Champion online community vote for their favorite entries at www.AlwaysAChampion.com. Federal-Mogul Motorparts is a division of Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation.

Search for a Champion enables grassroots racers to battle for $125,000 in sponsorship packages by creating brief videos that demonstrate their commitment to winning a racing championship with the help of Champion spark plugs. The contest builds upon the Champion brand’s more than 100-year heritage of supporting racers in virtually every form of engine-driven competition.

“The continued growth of this contest shows that the Champion brand’s connection with the grassroots racing community has never been stronger,” said Jessica Wynn, global director, digital marketing and strategy for Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “Racers are competing not only for much-needed financial support and exposure, but also for the honor of displaying the iconic red-and-black Champion bow tie on their ride.”

Search for a Champion finalists for 2015 are:

Name                                       Location                                  Vehicle Class/Type
Jason Alder                          Cooksville, Md.                        Go-Kart
Cody & Brock Bauman        Eureka, Ill.                                Dirt Modified
Spencer Boyd                       Concord, N.C.                          Late Model Super Truck
Carly Jo Ellingson                Rapid City, S.D.                       Pro E.T./Super Pro
Barry Fenton/Dennis Bell   Grovedale, Alb., Canada         World Jet Boat
Joey Frasur                          Liberty, Ind.                             Super Mod. Truck Pulling
Monty Mandros                   Salt Lake City, Utah                 Super Late Model
Austin Prock                         Avon, Ind.                                National Midget
Josh Rice                              Verona, Ky.                             Dirt Modified
Ryan Richardson                  Clinton, Utah                            Motorcycle Road Racing
Kelsey Rowlings                  Lake Mary, Fla.                        Drifting
Brandon Sheppard              New Berlin, Ill.                         Dirt Late Mode
Brian Shirley                         Chatham, Ill.                             Dirt Lake Model
Kris Whitfield                       Littleton, Colo.                          Super Gas Drag Racer
Bill Wise                                 Northville, Mich.                       Formula 2000

Final-round voting will take place Feb. 24 through March 24, 2015, and the Search for a Champion $50,000 grand prize winner will be announced March 31, 2015. To review the 15 finalist videos and cast your vote, simply visit www.AlwaysaChampion.com.

In addition to the 15 finalists, Federal-Mogul Motorparts has selected 12 contest participants who will each receive $500 Search for a Champion Honorable Mention awards:

Name                                       Location                                  Vehicle Class/Type
Joel & Kevin Belanger      Washington, N.H.                    Go-Kart
Mandy Chick                            DeSoto, Kan.                           Late Model & Dirt B-Modified
Timothy Culp                            Sheridan, Ark.                         Super Late Model
Ricky Davis                             East Arlington, Vt.                   Sportsman Modified
Cole Glasson                           Rockwall, Texas                     Southeast Super Truck
Allen Huffman                         Hickory, N.C.                           Late Model & Truck
Ty Hulsey                                Owasso, Okla.                        Midget Series
Jesse Lowe                            Crossville, Tenn.                       Late Model
Cole Peschang                        South Beloit, Ill.                        Sprint, Dirt & Go-Kart
Crist Pittenger                          Bismark, N.D.                           Mod 4
Faith & Rick Schuch                Weidman, Mich.                       Go-Kart
Jason & Cody Wilds                Exeter, Ont., Canada               Sprint & Dirt Jr. Late Model

To learn more about Search for a Champion and “Performance Driven™” Champion products, please visit www.AlwaysaChampion.com. Follow the brand’s @ChampionPlugs Twitter feed and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChampionSparkPlugs. To identify the best Champion plug for any application, please use the free www.FMe-cat.com electronic catalog.

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