NASCAR® Driver Kyle Petty Comes Through for Fans Around the Country with Offer of Free Coke Zero

BUSINESS WIRE--For several members of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, a victory in the inaugural Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola was so close they could taste it. Although the drivers were unsuccessful in their bid to take the checkered flag, millions of fans in the U.S. still have an opportunity to get a “Taste of Victory” of their own.

Through the Coke Zero “Taste of Victory” program, if one of the 13 drivers sponsored by Coca-Cola won the Coke Zero 400, fans would be able to enjoy the Real Coke Taste and Zero Calories of Coke Zero for free. Even without a victory, Kyle Petty – a founding member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family and analyst in the TNT broadcast booth for the race – announced that in celebration of the inaugural Coke Zero 400 at iconic Daytona International Speedway, fans would still be able to receive free Coke Zero.

Any U.S. resident 13 years of age or older can simply visit www.CokeZero.com through July 13 and follow the instructions to receive a coupon for a free 20-ounce bottle of Coke Zero (1). In addition to quenching their thirst, fans can help support a charity close to the hearts of Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers. Coke Zero will donate $1 to the Victory Junction Gang Camp on behalf of the first 10,000 people who visit CokeZero.com to request a free coupon.

Founded by Petty and his wife Pattie in honor of their late son Adam, the Victory Junction Gang Camp enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically sound environment.

“It’s pretty sweet to share the real Coke taste and Zero calories of Coke Zero with fans around the country,” said Kyle Petty. “I hope to see millions of people visit CokeZero.com to claim their free 20-ounce bottle and join me in celebrating an exciting Coke Zero 400.”

Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers participating in the “Taste of Victory” program included Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Denny Hamlin, Mark Martin, Greg Biffle, Elliott Sadler, Jamie McMurray, Bobby Labonte, Michael Waltrip, Clint Bowyer and David Ragan. Terry Labonte also was eligible as the driver of the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge.

“We were really rooting for one of our drivers to get to Victory Lane and deliver a taste of victory to people across the U.S.,” said Bill Kelly, senior vice president, Coca-Cola Brands, Coca-Cola North America. “In the end, it was a great race and that’s reason enough to follow through with our offer to give away free Coke Zero and to continue our support of Kyle Petty’s Victory Junction Gang Camp.”

The “Taste of Victory” program is one of many ways Coke Zero has taken a prominent role in NASCAR® this year. Title sponsorship of the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola serves as the centerpiece for the brand’s expanded presence in the sport. In addition, marketing efforts have included the launch of Coke Zero’s first-ever NASCAR®-themed advertising campaign, driver appearances, high-visibility track signage, at-track sampling and much more – all promoting the brand’s core message – Coke Zero has “Real Coke Taste and Zero Calories.”

With a current share of 1.5%, Coke Zero is the only sparkling beverage brand of 350 launched since 2001 to surpass and maintain a 1% market share. By using irreverent, humorous communication and delivering Real Coke Taste and Zero Calories, Coke Zero has established a strong connection with young adult males and achieved the highest trial of any recently launched Coca-Cola North America brand.

The debut of the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola is part of a 10-year sponsorship agreement between Coca-Cola North America (CCNA) and International Speedway Corporation (ISC). Through a variety of track partnerships, brands from CCNA will be refreshing fans at 13 race tracks in 2008 before expanding to 17 race tracks by 2012. Coca-Cola is the official sparkling beverage of NASCAR® and has been involved with stock car racing for more than 40 years. A signature part of Coca-Cola’s innovative NASCAR® program is the Coca-Cola Racing Family – a collection of veteran drivers and rising stars.

(1) Coupons for free 20-ounce bottles of Coke Zero will be redeemable until September 1, 2008 at participating retailers across the country where Coca-Cola products are sold. Limit is one coupon per person. All U.S. residents 13 years of age or older are eligible.

Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Counts Down to Kick-Off

GFP Note: Peachtree City is one of eight cities selected as overnight stops on the 2008 Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. More than 250 motorcycle riders will descend on Peachtree City on July 18 as they travel from Traverse City, Mich., to Savannah, Ga., this summer in an effort to raise money for Victory Junction Gang Camp and other charities that support chronically ill children.

The Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is counting down the days until its official kick-off celebration in Traverse City, Mich., on July 11.

One month from today, more than 200 Charity Ride participants will join Traverse City residents and community leaders at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in a show of support for children with chronic illnesses. Led by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, the riders will begin their 3,000-mile trek from Traverse City to Savannah, Ga., on the morning of July 13. Ride participants include NASCAR legends Richard Petty and Harry Gant, NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth, Chick-fil-A President and COO Dan Cathy, football great Herschel Walker and supermodel and TV host Niki Taylor.

The 14th Anniversary Charity Ride benefits Victory Junction Gang Camp and other children’s charities. Petty and his wife, Pattie, founded the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, N.C., in 2004. The year-round camp serves children with serious health issues, ages 7 to 15, at no cost to their families. Dean Kessel, former director of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sponsorship for Sprint, was named president of the camp earlier this year.

The Pettys recently announced plans to open a second Victory Junction Gang Camp in Wyandotte County, Kan. Mike Lepore, former executive vice president of Institutional Lending for Wells Fargo, has been named president of the new camp.

“Pattie, Mike and I are hard at work on our plans for the new Victory Junction Gang Camp and are so grateful for the support of participants and donors to the Charity Ride for helping make this vision a reality,” said Petty. “We’re excited about bringing the Victory Junction experience to a new region of the country and empowering even more children to achieve their dreams.”

Communities along the Ride route are encouraged to become involved in this year’s Charity Ride though the Charity Ride Dream Team Challenge, which challenges community members to form teams to raise funds for and awareness of the Charity Ride and its beneficiaries. Teams may register for free at www.kylepettycharityride.com. Registered teams will receive “Dream Team Packs” containing background information on the Charity Ride, Victory Junction Gang Camp and Charity Ride sponsors, as well as ongoing updates, fundraising tips and inspirational Victory Junction camper stories.

“We’ve already seen a wonderful response to our inaugural Charity Ride Dream Team Challenge,” said Petty. “From the KLT Pitstop Dream Team in Traverse City to the Raleigh HOGs, Dream Teams across the country have come up with creative ways to raise money for this year’s Charity Ride. I hope even more Dream Teams will join us to support children with serious medical conditions. Every penny counts.”

Collected donations may be mailed to Kyle Petty Charity Ride, Inc., 125 Floyd Smith Drive, Suite 45, Charlotte, NC 28262. Checks should be made payable to “Kyle Petty Charity Ride, Inc.” and indicate “Charity Ride Dream Team Challenge” in the “For” line. For more information on the Charity Ride Dream Team Challenge, visit www.kylepettycharityride.com.
Fans, media and Charity Ride supporters are invited to participate in the Ride – virtually – at www.kylepettycharityride.com. The Virtual Ride allows users to view video footage, photos, Kyle’s daily blog entries and sound clips from each day’s adventures on the road.

Pictured: Dan Cathy of Chick-fil-A