Three's a charm and it's also time for the third NASCAR sweepstakes

DANNY O'QUINN (Courtesy NASCAR)

By MEGAN CULLINGFORD
Truckers Connection

4/1/2008

It’s fast, it’s exciting, it’s racing. I’m so excited to announce the third annual Perfect NASCAR Weekend Sweepstakes for 2008.

That’sssssss right.

For you non-race fans, before you roll your eyes, this does involve a sweet trip to the beach so keep reading. And for you race fans (let’s face it: the majority), I see you already flipping to the back of this book for your entry card. And you’ll find it there too — potentially your golden ticket to join me in the land of sunshine for the final race weekend of the NASCAR season. We’re headed to Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 14-17 where you will enjoy your all-expense-paid trip for two to enjoy the adrenaline, the roar of the engines and the excitement of the final Nationwide Series race (from the pits!) and the final Sprint Cup Series race (from excellent seats!).

How do we do this? Give a big green flag thank you to Barr-Nunn Transportation because we’re mooching off their access to the races and they’re glad to have us do it.

Barr-Nunn Transportation has joined forces with Trucker’s Connection for the third time to bring professional drivers this sweepstakes to say Thank You for all their hard work. The Iowa-based carrier is also proudly sponsoring a car in the Nationwide Series. Running a limited amount of races, they’re working with a new team but a familiar face: 2006 Busch Series Rookie of the Year Danny O’Quinn Jr.

O’Quinn and all his driving talent was picked up by Mac Hill Motorsports and will be running the #56 Chevrolet. No stranger to the racing scene (clearly from the Rookie of the Year title), O’Quinn has been tangling with asphalt since the tender age of seven. Along the years, he proceeded to accumulate myriad championships, race wins and rookie of the year honors before finally hitting the NASCAR scene in ‘06. Born in Coeburn, Va., this 6’5 class act stands out in a crowd not just for his height but for his amicable personality and friendly nature. If you don’t already know and like Danny O’Quinn, Jr, he’ll be one to watch this year.

Oh, and did I mention that you can meet Danny personally? That’s right — you and your guest will be flown into Miami and whisked to a spectacular hotel worthy of any race fan for your winning weekend. On Saturday, we’ll hang out at the speedway with Danny, calming any pre-race jitters. Yours, not his.

This cool guy will need no race-prep assistance from us, but you will get meet Danny, shake his hand, and take some pictures. We’ll also prowl around the infield and the garage area before the race, checking out all your favorite teams as they get ready to race one final time in ‘08. There is so much to see, it’s an amazing experience for any race fan. Thanks to Barr-Nunn, we’ll have all access passes that will allow us to enjoy all of that and then watch the race from behind pit lane. The only way you can get closer to the action is if you’re sitting in a driver’s seat

yourself.

After that Nationwide wrap up day, we’ll cruise back to our plush digs for an evening recuperating, and then we’ll head back to the track on Sunday for the Ford 400 final Sprint Cup race of the season. There, we’ll take up excellent seats in the stands and watch a champion crowned.

One more night in luxury and then we’ll pack you and your guest off to your home with a load of photos and even more good memories.

So have you turned to the back of the magazine to grab your entry form yet? What are you waiting for? Do so now with the entry form in the April Trucker’s Connection. Not only will you be entered to win the Grand Prize, but along the way we’ll be drawing names for special monthly prize packs and you’ll want one of these too. Filled with all sorts of very cool items (if we do say so ourselves) to send you on your trucking road trips in style.

Good luck!