Go to content Go to navigation Go to recent PR reports Go to search

Soldier To Serve As Grand Marshal Of The TUMS Quikpak 500

Monday September 22, 2008

 

Hometown Hero to Deliver Famous Command, “Gentlemen Start Your Engines” in Martinsville

PITTSBURGH, Penn. (Sept. 22, 2008) – Staff Sgt. Robert Hankins of Colorado Springs, Colo., will serve as the grand marshal of the TUMS QuikPak 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville International Speedway in Martinsville, Va. on October 19. Hankins, who is originally from Martinsville, Va., is currently serving his third deployment in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and will be on a two-week leave to attend the TUMS QuikPak 500 and serve as the grand marshal.

Hankins was selected to serve as the grand marshal after winning a nationwide contest sponsored by TUMS. TUMS set out to find a deserving race fan who had provided “quick relief” to a family member, friend or community, just like their favorite heartburn reliever – the all-new TUMS QuikPak. In addition to serving his country, Hankins provided fast relief to his neighbors in Colorado Springs when he helped a family who suffered a house fire.

In his essay, Hankins described the chance to be the grand marshal of the TUMS QuikPak 500 as “the ultimate dream come true for the kid who grew up in a racing town, and who on that very same track, watched many cars race to take the checkered flag.”

At the TUMS QuikPak 500, Hankins will lead the crowd on race day by delivering the, “Gentlemen, start your engines,” race command. He has also won the chance to attend a host of pre-race ceremonies, meet the drivers and watch the race from the comfort of a catered skybox suite.

“TUMS, and the all-new TUMS QuikPak, is all about fast relief and putting fans first,” said Steve Kapur, Senior Brand Experience Manager – NASCAR, GSK Consumer Healthcare. “Robert Hankins is a shining example of someone who has provided fast relief to those in need, and TUMS is thrilled to give him the opportunity to give the starting command at the TUMS QuikPak 500.”

The Race for Grand Marshal
The grand marshal of the TUMS QuikPak 500 was selected by America, as consumers were invited to vote online for one of five finalists at www.TUMSRacing.com between Friday, Sep. 5 and Friday, Sep. 12. The individual who received the most votes was named the grand marshal.

Prior to declaring the top five finalists, race fans were invited to nominate themselves for a chance to serve as the Grand Marshal of the TUMS QuikPak 500 between July 9 and Aug. 30, 2008. During the registration process, participants were asked to submit an essay answering the question: Why do you deserve to be the Grand Marshal for the day? An independent panel of judges reviewed all of the entries and the five contestants who received the highest scores were named finalists.

About the TUMS QuikPak 500
The TUMS QuikPak 500 will be the first stock car race sponsored by the TUMS brand. The race sponsorship will continue to build on the long-standing relationship between GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare and the .526-mile Virginia short track. The partnership began in 1983 when Goody’s Headache Powder first sponsored the Goody’s 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

About TUMS
For more than 75 years, TUMS has been a fast, effective treatment for heartburn, neutralizing stomach acid on contact. Today, TUMS is the number one selling brand of antacid in America.

About TUMS QuikPak
TUMS QuikPak instant dissolve powder is the newest addition to the TUMS brand lineup. TUMS QuikPak dissolves instantly on the tip of the tongue to neutralize acid on contact without water. Like all TUMS products, the TUMS QuikPak instant dissolve powder is an excellent source of calcium.

About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world’s largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette® and NicoDerm®, as well as many medicine cabinet staples, alli®, Aquafresh®, Sensodyne®, and TUMS®, which are trademarks owned by and/or licensed to GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies.

Do you want the chance to win a free Frontstretch T-Shirt, and are you really good at talking about NASCAR? Well, we have the perfect opportunity for you. Our staff will be giving away a free T-Shirt to the reader who makes the best post in our Frontstretch Forum between now and the end of the season. So, what makes a good post? It’s pretty hard to impress us, but here are some things we are looking for:

Does your post spark passionate reactions from other readers? Are you commenting on meaningful NASCAR-related events? Do your posts have substance? In other words, “Dale Jr. is the best driver ever” or “Danica Patrick is hot” will not cut it.

So go to the Frontstretch Forums, post early, post often, and post well! We’ll announce the winner following the final race of the season at Homestead.

This report was provided by an outside PR source and posted by Kim DeHaven.

 

©2000 - 2008 Kim DeHaven and Frontstetch.com. Thanks for visiting the Frontstretch!