MATTHEWS, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Windstream (NYSE: WIN), a high-speed Internet, phone and digital TV
provider, announced it has partnered with one of NASCAR's great pioneers
and legendary driver/owner Junior Johnson to kick off the upcoming
Windstream Pole Night qualifying race and to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway (LMS) this May.
Johnson, a 10-time race and two-time pole winner at LMS (twice as a
driver, eight as an owner), will make three Charlotte-area appearances
with Windstream's Green Truck Tour that will culminate with his
participation in Windstream Pole Night scheduled for Thursday, May 21.
"Windstream is excited to partner with NASCAR legend Junior Johnson. His
rich history in NASCAR and tremendous career success at Lowe's Motor
Speedway made him a natural fit to help us celebrate Windstream Pole
Night and the 50th anniversary of the Coca-Cola 600 race," said Ron
Proleika, vice president of marketing communications for Windstream. "We
hope race fans come out and meet Junior on the Windstream Green Truck
Tour and take advantage of our free Pole Night ticket giveaway, so they
get the opportunity to experience this historic week with one of the
sport's true icons."
The 1960 Daytona 500 champion will accompany the Windstream Green Truck
Tour to several community stops on Tuesday, May 19, which includes
greeting morning commuters at the Pure Mart gas station / McDonald's in
Indian Trail (305/303 Unionville Indian Trail Rd., 6-8 a.m.), followed
by visiting race fans outside Concord Mills Mall (4-6 p.m.), where the
legend will also participate in a special autograph session.
Consumers and race fans are encouraged to stop by either of these free
events to meet Johnson and to pick up a free family four-pack of tickets
for Windstream Pole Night. Limit one four-pack of tickets per person
while supplies last.
The year's 50th anniversary of the famous Memorial Day race will kick
off with Johnson getting behind the wheel of Windstream's signature
Green Truck and driving the lead Pole Night parade lap, energizing the
fans and race qualifying field.
"I look forward to interacting with all the Windstream employees,
consumers and fans on the Green Truck Tour and at Lowe's Motor Speedway
to help generate even more excitement around Windstream Pole Night,"
said Johnson, a Wilkesboro, N.C., resident who holds the honor of being
named one of NASCAR's '50 Greatest Drivers.' "I know what it's like to
capture the pole, and for one driver it's going to give him momentum and
a leg up on the rest of the field heading into one of NASCAR's most
storied races.
"Windstream offers great products and services for its customers, and it
is wonderful how the company gives back to the community through its
Green Truck Tour. I am thrilled they asked me to be a part of
Windstream's race-week activities in a small way."
The Green Truck Tour is designed to give back to the local
communities that Windstream serves and educate the public about landline
safety. The tour, which promotes Windstream's high-speed Internet,
reliable phone and digital TV products and services, runs through
November with stops in 14 states. Windstream also is donating $200,000
to eight schools in the company's service area through its Classroom
Connections program. For additional information about the Green
Truck Tour and its scheduled stops, visit www.greentrucktour.com.
About Windstream
Windstream Corporation is an S&P 500 company that provides digital
phone, high-speed Internet and high-definition video and entertainment
services to residential and business customers in 16 states. The company
has approximately 3 million access lines and about $3.2 billion in
annual revenues. Windstream is ranked 4th in the 2009 BusinessWeek 50
ranking of the best performing U.S. companies. For more information
about Windstream, visit www.windstream.com.