M&M’S® Racing Celebrates Spirited NASCAR® Fans with Re-launch of “The Most Colorful Fan™ of NASCAR” Contest

Fans Can Win Once-in-a-Lifetime Trip to Ford 400 in Homestead; Dozens of Weekly Prizes

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (June 9, 2008) – M&M’S® Racing and NASCAR® announced today the re-launch of the popular “The Most Colorful Fan™ of NASCAR” contest, which encourages NASCAR fans nationwide to showcase their passionate love for the sport by uploading their most eye-catching photos to NASCAR.com for a chance to win big. The contest will run from June 8, 2008, through October 11, 2008, and will feature weekly winners who will receive an array of NASCAR-themed prizes.

Just like America’s favorite candy known for colorful chocolate fun, the M&M’S contest brings the excitement and revelry of the weekly NASCAR circuit to fans.

“‘The Most Colorful Fan of NASCAR’ contest allows fans a one-of-a-kind interactive experience to show off the fun side that defines the excitement of the sport,” said William Clements, vice president of Mars Properties. “Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the sport, M&M’S Racing is giving you the opportunity to compete just like the drivers, but among fellow fans.”

Five finalists will also win trips to the Ford 400 in Homestead, Fla., on November 16, 2008, for the ultimate NASCAR VIP experience courtesy of M&M’S, as well as $100 gift cards from The Home Depot for colorful paints. Kyle Busch, driver of the M&M’S No. 18 Toyota Camry and one of the sports top stars is even getting in on the action, as he’ll help judge the final competition in Homestead along with other top drivers.

“The Most Colorful Fan of NASCAR” will be awarded with an exclusive Tissot® wrist watch and a VIP trip for two to the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

“While all drivers are out to win week in and week out, we all have to remember that the sport is truly about the fans,” said Busch, winner of the recent Best Buy 400 Benefiting Student Clubs for Autism Speaks. “That’s why the M&M’S Racing ‘The Most Colorful Fan of NASCAR’ contest is so cool – the fans get to compete weekly just like we do, as well as win some pretty amazing prizes.”

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Why is it that Kyle Busch can’t seem to finish a race without hitting someone? Tonight it was Greg Biffle, who should have spun out, but managed to straighten up and overtake Busch. The whole day Busch berated his crew for his “sucky” car. I can’t imagine why they’d work with such a jerk. He’s obviously a danger to himself and to his team.

Despite a penalty and multiple other issues, Busch managed to win the Dodge Challenger 500 at Darlington, but not even this victory seems clean. He cruised past others, in a dangerous, weaving way. It’s pretty clear he’s not good at controlling his car. He only managed to win by luck and reckless driving. He bumped into the wall more than once and luck was on his side, allowing the careless driver, who refused to listen to his crew chief, and slow down, to keep the lead.

I’m waiting for karma to come kick Kyle in the keister, but as of yet that has yet to happen. I fear for the other racers. I know they call him rowdy because he drives “wild”, but I really fear that one of these days his terribly wild driving is going to cause a death…and it might just be Kyle’s. Every week, I hold my breath, just waiting for him to flip himself or someone else over, to spin out of control or to ram himself into the wall hard enough to set his car on fire. He can only be described as lucky because that’s the only thing, and not the driving of a winner (despite his win I don’t see him as one) that got him the win today.

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All Hail Juinor Nation!

Why is it that Kyle Busch can’t win a race on his own? He leads the Sprint Cup series after stealing a win away from Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the Crown Royal’s Dan Lowry 400 at Richmond and finishing second to Clint Bowyer. Bowyer’s win was overshadowed by the shenanigans of Busch who turned into Earnhardt’s car and then blamed Earnhardt for the loss. According to the arrogant, pre-pubescent looking Busch, had Earnhardt moved out of his way and let him pass, then Jr. would have taken second place. Yeah, okay Busch. We all know you have to cheat to win, but frankly, you aren’t that good to deserve to beat Earnhardt in a fair race. You give NASCAR racing a bad name.

Earnhardt Jr. was set to win the first race in a 71-race losing streak. When Busch turned into Earnhardt Jr. (and I could see it coming because Kyle has a habit of hitting people to win a race or take a top ten placement), his fender forced Earnhardt to spin out and into the wall. He had to return to the pits and managed to take a 15th place finish, but Busch opened up the lead for Clint Bowyer, who was in third and sailed past Busch. This is Bowyer’s second Sprint Cup win.

Busch made it clear in his post-race interviews that he was willing to do whatever it took to try and get a win even if that meant intentionally hitting another driver.

“If I went out there on that final restart and just gave way to the 88 car, then that would not be a true race car driver. I had to do what I had to do to win for my team. That’s what I was out there for and to do, to try to get a win. Unfortunately, circumstances happened.”

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For a minute or more, it looked like Dale Earnhardt Jr. would be winning yet another at Talladega. With Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart vying for first place, it wasn’t long before a series of problems would plague the two and prevent them from getting anywhere near the lead. While Stewart had car damage early on, it looked like he was out of the race, despite driving as best as he could. Earnhardt Jr. was weaving his way back up to the front with less than 30 laps to go when he got hit in the back, causing him to drop from the top ten into 29th place, virtually unable to get anywhere near the front again.

As it was, this is the 20th race that Stewart has lost at Talladega. He has yet to win a Sprint cup series race here though he did manage to win the Nationwide series, Aaron’s 312 at the track yesterday; his first win ever at the elusive, Talladega track. Another racer, who has found Talladega to be elusive actually won the race. Kyle Busch, who is too aggressive and harmfully cut throat a racer to gain my respect (he likes to hit people almost purposefully and cut them off to keep his lead) had been a lap down before making his way to the top. Having caused more than one crash at Talladega today, Busch was victorious at the expense of his fellow drivers, one of whom was his brother, Kurt.

Kurt was a part of the crash that dented up Earnhardt Jr.’s backside and Tony Stewart, already partly injured in his car, was a victim of that crash, as well. This one put him in the garage, and Stewart was unable to finish the race. Still, Busch’s success came from a last minute, last lap crash, that actually helped Earnhardt Jr. by getting him into 10th place. Juan Pablo Montoya tried desperately to get past Busch, but was unable to as any draft he could have used was lost in the crash behind him.

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When it came down to it, it was a play for who would be the top. Set to take #1 and #2 with less than ten laps to go in the Nationwide Series Aaron’s 312 race, Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. patiently waited for the last minute caution to be over. Soaring ahead with two laps left, Stewart avoided a take over as Greg Biffle tried to work the outside and Earnhardt Jr. eventually tried to pass Stewart and his beast of a Toyota in the very last lap.

In the end, Stewart would maintain the lead to win for the first time ever at Talladega while Earnhardt Jr. dropped down into 7th place as a group of cars, meant to help him with a draft, swarmed around and overtook him. In a shot of good luck, for Stewart that is, he broke the winning streak of Kyle Busch, who would have tied with Sam Ard for the most wins in a row (with four). Unfortunately, Kyle didn’t make it, which is a shame…for him.

The top ten for the Aaron’s 312 is as follows:

1. Tony Stewart
2. Mike Bliss
3. Jason Leffler
4. Dario Franchitti
5. Brad Keselowski
6. Clint Bowyer
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
8. Kyle Busch
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