Michael Waltrip Racing Twitter contest will culminate in Phoenix

Photo: Michael Waltrip Racing

Leave it to Michael Waltrip, one of the most popular and prolific NASCAR drivers on Twitter, to launch a groundbreaking social media promotion involving one of his race teams.

The Twitter contest, sponsored by Michael Waltrip Racing and Best Western, offers three lucky grand-prize winners the opportunity to meet MWR driver David Reutimann and serve as his official “Tweet Crew Team” for the April race weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. The top prize package is valued at up to $2000 and includes roundtrip airfare to Phoenix, hotel accommodations and more.

The Tweet Crew Team will be suited up in MWR-branded team uniforms and will have VIP access to PIR for the weekend’s NASCAR events, including Saturday’s SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600 Cup race. Team members will be outfitted with smartphones to tweet messages and photos from the track, sharing every detail of their once-in-a-lifetime adventure with followers on Twitter.

David Reutimann, driver of the No. 00 Cup car for Michael Waltrip Racing, told me today, “This will be more than just a behind-the-scenes kind of deal - you know, getting into the garage area and walking around. It will be getting into the garage area, hanging out in the haulers, possibly sitting in on team meetings and things of that nature which, quite frankly, just don’t normally happen. It’s a program that Best Western put together and I’ve never heard of another program like it.  It’s really cutting edge and unique.” Contest co-sponsor Best Western International is headquartered in Phoenix.

In addition to tweeting all the action on and around the racetrack, Reutimann’s Tweet Crew Team will join David and car owner Waltrip for a race-day press conference, chat with No. 00 pit crew members, and interview the driver at the conclusion of the Cup race. Reutimann posted two top-10 finishes in Phoenix last season.

Although Reutimann does have his own Twitter account, he admits that he is not as active on the social media site as Waltrip. “Michael is way ahead of me on that stuff. I can’t even fall asleep on the plane without him taking a picture of me and immediately putting it on Twitter with a caption like ‘Reutimann hard at work’ or something like that.” When I suggested that he turn the tables on his boss, David joked, “The problem is, Michael never sleeps on the plane.”

The Tweet Crew Team promotion launches today and runs through March 17. Contestants are asked to submit a ‘job application’ online explaining why they should be chosen for the positions. Entries will be judged on qualities such as creativity and degree of desire for the job. Find all the details and official rules at www.bestwestern.com/tweetcrewteam.

If you don’t win the grand prize, you can still interact live with the Tweet Crew Team throughout the weekend on Twitter, even suggesting interview questions to be asked of the drivers and crew members. Followers will also have a chance to win prizes from home, including Best Western Racing and MWR gear, a Travel Card valued at $500, and much more.