11-13-2006: Harvick Victory at Phoenix Awards 29 Lucky Race Fans an All-New 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche Through #29 Goodwrench Expertise Challenge
Source: GM Media


GM Goodwrench to Establish $200,000 Scholarship Fund as Part of Promotion

AVONDALE, Ariz. – GM Goodwrench driver Kevin Harvick powered to victory in the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway to complete the #29 Goodwrench Expertise Challenge and award 29 lucky Expertise Challenge grand prize winners with an all-new 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche.

“We did everything we could do today, and it all worked out,” said Harvick. “I’m really proud of the fact that we get to give away 29 Chevy Avalanches and $200,000 for our GM Goodwrench Expertise Challenge. That’s pretty cool that we won all those races, and it’s awesome that our fans can join in the celebration.”

With the win at Phoenix and a victory at Richmond International Raceway in September, Harvick and the GM Goodwrench team successfully completed the #29 Goodwrench Expertise Challenge, a unique promotion designed by GM Service and Parts Operations (GMSPO) to award a total of 29 lucky fans with an all-new 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche, a $1,000 GM vehicle maintenance certificate from Goodwrench and a trunk full of Reese’s products, if Harvick won 2 of 12 selected NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races.

As part of the Expertise Challenge promotion, GM Goodwrench also will establish a $200,000 scholarship fund to provide tuition assistance to AYES high school students who choose to continue their automotive technical education by attending GM ASEP colleges.

“The Expertise Challenge has been a unique way for race fans to participate in the on-track success of the GM Goodwrench team,” said Jim Moloney, general director of marketing for GMSPO. “Kevin and the GM Goodwrench crew have done an outstanding job this season, and we’re excited that their success has not only enabled us to award all-new 2007 Chevy Avalanches to 29 lucky fans, but has allowed us to support the training of young people for positions as automotive technicians.”

Vehicle dealerships across the country are scrambling to find qualified automotive technicians – even with salaries of $30,000 - $70,000 or more depending on the market and the technician’s level of training. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the auto industry will need 35,000 new technicians every year through 2010.

Beginning in May, the Expertise Challenge promotion offered GM customers and race fans the chance to win a variety of prizes, including an all-new 2007 Avalanche, by visiting a Chevrolet dealership or a Chevy display at select NASCAR events to obtain a ticket with an official promotion code. They also could visit goodwrench.com/expert to obtain a promotion code and complete the registration process.