By Bill Klingbeil
INDIANAPOLIS (May 5, 2011) – Bass Pro Shops, one of America’s premier outdoor retailers, will introduce the 2011 “Smoke Boat” promotional tour this Friday and Saturday (May 6-7) at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. With a schedule that will include more than 25 stops in various Bass Pro Shops stores, World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Series events, USAC Racing series events and a presence at all of the marquee events at Eldora Speedway, race fans will have an opportunity to enter to win the 2011 NITRO Z-7 watercraft that is adorned in a paint scheme that reflects the brand’s longtime partnership with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR).
The 2011 “Smoke Boat” provides race fans a unique opportunity to take home one of Bass Pro Shops’ most popular boat brands while supporting the outdoor retailer’s extensive motorsports program. Bass Pro Shops is the primary sponsor of TSR’s No. 11 WoO Sprint Series entry and 20-time series champion Steve Kinser. In addition to the brand’s WoO Sprint Series involvement, Bass Pro Shops also participates in the NASCAR, NHRA and USAC Racing Series with its sportsman racing teams.
The “Smoke Boat,” which is a custom-built NITRO Z-7 midsize bass boat that sports 18 feet, 8 inches of fishing performance, huge amounts of casting space and ample storage space, boasts all the amenities required of a professional or recreational angler. Boat specifications include:
· Rapid Planing System transom for extreme shallow-water performance
· Ample storage space for rods up to 8 feet long
· 18 feet, 8 inches of fishing performance
· Molded storage boxes with tackle tray holders
· Ready-to-accept optional removable port console
· Fold-down reboarding ladder
· 34-gallon (128.70-liter) divided, aerated aft livewell with re-circulator, timer and pump-out system
· Three-across seating with steps to aft deck and helm and buddy suspension systems
· Two rod lockers and center bow storage locker with power lid assists
· Easy-to-read instrumentation and tinted windscreen
· Flush-mounted Lowrance® Mark-5x fishfinder
· Step-to-bow deck with cooler and trash receptacle
· Bow bicycle seat and aft folding chair
· MotorGuide® 24V, 70-pound-thrust foot-controlled trolling motor
· Custom-matched trailer with GALVASHIELD® corrosion protection, swing-away tongue and EZ lube hubs
· Total package is valued at $23,495.00
The “Smoke Boat” will be on display at numerous racing events during the 2011 season and will tentatively make stops in up to eight states at more than 15 racing events. The schedule will also include stops at Bass Pro Shops retail stores located in Concord, N.C., Cincinnati, Ohio, Altoona, Iowa, Harrisburg, Pa., and Clarksville, Ind., over the course of the promotion. Entry forms are available at participating racing events from May 6 through Nov. 5. To enter, complete an official entry form or hand print your name, complete address, daytime phone number, e-mail address and date of birth on a 3-by-5-inch piece of paper and deposit it in an official ballot box at one of the events by the close of the event. No mechanical reproductions will be accepted. On or about Dec. 12, a random drawing will be conducted by Promotion Mechanics, Inc., an independent judging organization, from among all eligible entries received.
This weekend’s WoO Sprint Series event at Eldora Speedway will mark the first event in the 2011 “Smoke Boat” promotional schedule. The full schedule will include stops at I-55 Speedway in Pevely, Mo., Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway, Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway and various others on the WoO Sprint Series and USAC Racing Series schedule. The “Smoke Boat” will also make stops at Eldora Speedway for the track’s marquee events, including The Prelude to the Dream on June 8, The Dream on June 10-11, the Kings Royal on July 15-16, the World 100 on Sept. 9-10, and 4-Crown Weekend on Sept. 23-24. The schedule is subject to change at the discretion of Bass Pro Shops.
For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops, Tony Stewart Racing or Eldora Speedway, go to www.basspro.com, www.tonystewartracing.com or www.eldoraspeedway.com.
About Bass Pro Shops Group
Bass Pro Shops – 56 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 110 million people annually, international catalog and internet retailing, American Rod & Gun wholesale division selling to over 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide, Outdoor World Incentives also selling Bass Pro Shops gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America and a restaurant division with 26 locations. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog call 1-800-BASS PRO.
Tracker Marine Group – Manufactures and sells Tracker, Nitro, SunTracker, Tahoe, Grizzly and Mako boats through Bass Pro Shops retail stores and over 400 dealers worldwide. Visit www.trackerboats.com. Resort Group – Big Cedar Lodge and other resort properties including restaurants and golf course. Visit www.bigcedar.com for more information.
About Tony Stewart Racing
Tony Stewart Racing is the World of Outlaws Sprint Series and USAC Racing Series teams owned by two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart. The team fields two entries in the World of Outlaws Sprint Series – the No. 11 Bass Pro Shops/J.D. Byrider/Chevrolet/Maxim for 20-time series champion Kinser and the No. 15 STP/Armor All/Chevrolet/J&J for four-time series champion Schatz. TSR also fields entries for five-time USAC champion Levi Jones and the 2010 USAC National Drivers Champion Clauson. Based in Brownsburg, Ind., TSR operates out of a 25,000-sqaure-foot facility. For more information, please visit us on the Web at www.TonyStewartRacing.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/The-Official-TSR-Fan-Page and on Twitter at @TonyStewart_rcg.
-www.TonyStewartRacing.com-