Full Throttle

The oil hardly settled into the crankcase of Tony Stewart’s #20 before Home Depot gives another display of what I call “NASCAR-nomics.”

The Home Depot(R), the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today announced that three lucky customers can drive their own custom replica of Tony Stewart’s #20 Home Depot Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS and have the chance to meet Tony Stewart, the 2005 Nextel Cup champion, at a NASCAR race next year. The company is selling three NASCAR fantasy gift packages, available at www.homedepot.com/nascargift and in the company’s direct mail catalog. The fantasy gift package includes a replica car and vacation package to the Auto Club 500 at the California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., where the purchasers will meet Stewart. The fantasy packages will go on sale December 1 for $62,500 each.

“What better way to celebrate Tony’s amazing championship season than by offering customers and fans the chance to own a #20 replica car and actually meet Tony,” said Shelley Nandkeolyar, president, Home Depot Direct Brands. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime gift that we’re excited to offer our customers so they can score big points with the biggest NASCAR fan on their gift list.”

Three “lucky” fans? Just how lucky do you have to be to shell out over 60 large? I was always under the impression “luck” was when opportunity meets preparation.

On second thought, maybe that still holds true. Certainly you all now have an “opportunity.” And by all accounts, banking type or otherwise, this poor downtrodden blogger (I took out a loan to buy the bricks on sale after Smoke’s Indy win) is “prepared” to receive anything you may send my way.

Besides, Christmas is coming and Papa needs a new #20 Home Depot Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS!

P.S. If you should decide to act in the affirmative please don’t mention it in the comments section. I’m kinda old fashioned in that way. I hate knowing what my presents are prior to Christmas Morning.

P.P.S. Did I mention the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS! includes “luxury features?”

NOTE: Lumps of coal accepted with gracious aplume.