SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Feb. 23, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Voting is now open at www.AlwaysAChampion.com for the final round of the 2016 “Search for a Champion” racing sponsorship contest, which will award a record $200,000 (USD) in sponsorships and related prizes to grassroots drivers across North America. Finalists include 15 drivers in the Advanced category who will compete for a $50,000 (USD) Champion grand prize sponsorship, and 25 Amateur drivers vying for one $10,000 grand prize sponsorship from the iconic Champion® brand. Champion spark plugs, filters and wipers of global vehicle components provided by Federal-Mogul Motorparts, a division of Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:FDML).
Now in its fifth year, Search for a Champion enables grassroots drivers to compete for sponsorship cash and other prizes based on materials submitted for voter review at www.AlwaysAChampion.com. Entrants in the Advanced category were required to submit photos, a 300-word essay and a two-minute video describing why they deserve to become a member of #TeamChampion. In the Amateur category, participants were required to submit photos and an essay, with the option to enter a video. More than 119,000 votes were cast in the contest’s opening round.
Voting is open through March 23, 2016. Anyone may vote once per day per tier in the final round of competition by completing a free registration at www.AlwaysAChampion.com. Federal-Mogul Motorparts will announce the $50,000 and $10,000 grand prize winners March 30.
In addition, each voter in the Search for a Champion contest will automatically enter a drawing for one of 200 Champion prize packs that include a Champion hat, t-shirt and decals.
“The racing community has an incredibly strong connection to the Champion brand based not only on our continued product leadership, but also because Champion has always been a strong proponent of grassroots motorsports enthusiasts,” said Laura Soave, chief marketing and communications officer, Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “This exciting annual contest builds on the brand’s heritage of helping millions of customers worldwide maximize the performance of their engines and vehicles and other equipment.”
In addition to the opportunity to compete for the $50,000 (USD) grand prize, each of the 15 finalists in the Advanced category will receive a $5,000 (USD) racing sponsorship. These finalists are:
| Driver | Racing Category | Location |
| Braison Bennett | Asphalt | Neenah, Wis. |
| Blaise Brinkley | Asphalt | Sanford, N.C. |
| Kodie Conner | Asphalt | Kannapolis, N.C. |
| Luke Eggers | Asphalt | Crumpler, N.C. |
| Chris Ferguson | Dirt | Mount Holly, N.C. |
| A.J. Flick | Dirt | Apollo, Pa. |
| Nick Gennusa | Dirt | Wall Township, N.J. |
| Cole Glasson | Asphalt | Rockwall, Texas |
| Alec Hohnadell | Asphalt | Destin, Fla. |
| Justin Hutto | Asphalt | Spring, Texas |
| Derek Kraus | Asphalt | Stratford, Wis. |
| Crist Pittenger | Dirt | Bismarck, N.D. |
| Faith Schuch | Asphalt | Weidman, Mich. |
| Ryan Unzicker | Dirt | El Paso, Ill. |
| Tammy Wolf | Water/Snow | Mulmur, Ont., Canada |
The 25 Amateur finalists will each receive a $1,000 (USD) sponsorship while moving on to the final round and a chance to win the $10,000 (USD) grand prize. The full list of finalists in the Amateur category is available at www.AlwaysAChampion.com.
For more information regarding the Search for a Champion contest and the full range of Champion products, and to cast final-round votes, please visit www.AlwaysAChampion.com. Like Champion on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChampionSparkPlugs, and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ChampionPlugs and Instagram at www.Instagram.com/ChampionPlugs.
About Federal-Mogul
Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:FDML) is a leading global supplier of products and services to the world’s manufacturers and servicers of vehicles and equipment in the automotive, light, medium and heavy-duty commercial, marine, rail, aerospace, power generation and industrial markets. The company’s products and services enable improved fuel economy, reduced emissions and enhanced vehicle safety.
Federal-Mogul operates two independent business divisions, each with a chief executive officer reporting to Federal-Mogul's Board of Directors.
Federal-Mogul Motorparts sells and distributes a broad portfolio of products through more than 20 of the world’s most recognized brands in the global vehicle aftermarket, while also serving original equipment vehicle manufacturers with products including braking, chassis, wipers and other vehicle components. The company’s aftermarket brands include ANCO® wiper blades; Champion® spark plugs, wipers and filters; AE®, Fel-Pro®, FP Diesel®, Goetze®, Glyco®, Nüral®, Payen® and Sealed Power® engine products; MOOG® steering and suspension parts; and Ferodo®, Jurid® and Wagner® brake products.
Federal-Mogul Powertrain designs and manufactures original equipment powertrain components and systems protection products for automotive, heavy-duty, industrial and transport applications.
Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899 and maintains its worldwide headquarters in Southfield, Michigan. The company employs nearly 50,000 in 34 countries. For more information, please visit www.FMMotorparts.com.