Old Spice and Tony Stewart Rev Up for Return of Popular Victory Towel Auction for Charity

CINCINNATI – Just in time for the 2010 NASCAR racing season, Old Spice and two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart announced today that they are bringing back their signature Victory Towel Auctions – giving fans the opportunity to bid on an unusual piece of racing history and help those in need.

As the official deodorant and body wash of NASCAR, Old Spice is celebrating its 11-year anniversary with Stewart, and during that time has become a popular part of his post-win ritual. Every time Stewart wins a Sprint Cup or NASCAR Nationwide Series race during the 2010 season, he’ll use the Old Spice towel to wipe off the sweat and sweet spray of victory. He’ll later autograph the towel and turn it over to Old Spice for a charity auction on eBay, with all proceeds going to the Tony Stewart Foundation.

Stewart has waved a sweat- and champagne-soaked towel in NASCAR victory lanes more than 50 times since coming to NASCAR from the IndyCar Series in 1999. And this year expects to be no different as Stewart starts his second season as a driver/owner with his No. 14 Old Spice/Office Depot Chevrolet fielded by Stewart-Haas Racing.

The No. 14 Old Spice/Office Depot Chevrolet makes its debut during the Feb. 6 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Old Spice will also be seen throughout the 2010 Sprint Cup season as Stewart’s primary sponsor Feb. 21 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., Feb. 28 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, March 28 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, April 25 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, May 8 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, June 6 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, June 13 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, June 27 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, July 25 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Aug. 8 at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, Sept. 11 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, Oct. 16 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Nov. 15 at Phoenix International Raceway.

“I’m thrilled to be behind the wheel with Old Spice again, and we look forward to another winning season,” Stewart said.  “Whenever I win, you can bet that I’ll be waving that Old Spice towel in celebration. Since we started these auctions, fans have raised more than $20,000 for my Foundation and helped countless people.”

The Tony Stewart Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that raises funds for distribution to three specific groups – chronically ill children, drivers injured in motorsports activities and organizations dedicated to the protection of various animal species. To date, the Foundation has awarded almost $4 million to assist charitable initiatives for more than 130 organizations throughout the United States.

“No one works harder on and off the track than Tony Stewart, and we’re proud to be a long-time supporter of his efforts,” said James Moorhead, Old Spice deodorant brand manager. “We’re excited for the return of the Victory Towel auctions and anticipate many return trips to victory lane, especially after Tony’s strong season in 2009.  He’s proven it’s no sweat to be both a driver and an owner, and we look forward to raising even more money for the Tony Stewart Foundation.”