CONCORD, N.C., May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Defending event champion Kasey Kahne and 2010 "burnout" winner Joey Logano will be joined by three of NASCAR's biggest names in the fifth annual Pennzoil Victory Burnout Challenge as part of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race pre-event festivities taking place at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 19.
Known as NASCAR's version of a "slam dunk contest," with the sport's top talent showing off their post-win celebration abilities in classic NASCAR tire-smoking burnouts, the Pennzoil Victory Burnout Challenge has become a fan-favorite staple in the weekend's activities. Five drivers will participate in this year's competition, burning rubber in identical stock cars prepared by the Richard Petty Driving Experience with a chance to win a $10,000 donation to the their favorite charity. A panel of judges will score the drivers' creativity during a 30-second freestyle burnout.
In addition to Kahne and Logano, the 2012 Pennzoil Victory Burnout Challenge line-up will consist of newcomer Shell-Pennzoil driver AJ Allmendinger and his Penske Racing teammate Brad Keselowski in addition to Clint Bowyer, who has participated in all four previous events.
"I'm excited to be competing in my first-ever Pennzoil Victory Burnout Challenge," said AJ Allmendinger, driver of the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge and 2008 Sprint Showdown race winner. "I was a part of the broadcast team for last year's event. Based off the energy and excitement from both the fans and participating drivers, I was quite envious that I wasn't buckled into a race car performing my best donut. I hope that I'll be practicing my victory burnout in the competition for use in post-race activities later that evening. As a great supporter of me and my team, I applaud Pennzoil for all their efforts surrounding the All-Star weekend by keeping the fans and driver's charities in mind."
Pennzoil engineers work closely with race teams, such as Penske Racing, to develop motor oil formulations to help maximize performance and engine reliability for the team throughout the season. Each tweak to the formulations contributes to the advancement of the brand's technology.