Full Throttle

In Santa’s bid to get the jump on the Grinch (Starting second row outside) he has jumped the start and already has started to hand out presents. Santa leads into the first turn as he overflies Raleigh N.C. and the home of NASCAR fan Charity Smith.

Combos(R) Snacks, which sponsors driver Elliott Sadler in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series, offered fans a chance to win what most race fans only dream of — a NASCAR Themed Garage. The promotion ran throughout the 2004 season and awarded Smith a prize package valued at more than $35,000 including $10,000 worth of tools and a new Ford F-150.

“I bought the Combos hoping I’d at least win the $75 daily prize,” said Charity Smith, a Raleigh resident and long-time NASCAR fan. “I never dreamed that I’d actually win the grand prize. But two or three months after the promotion was over, I received a letter from UPS saying I had won and I just couldn’t believe it. I was so nervous reading it - my knees were shaking and everything. Nothing like this has ever happened to me and I’m so appreciative to Masterfoods.”

Hmmm… all those thanks you’s and not a word for Santa. Oh well he has more work to do before the checkers fall. It’s on to the home of open wheel fan, John Turner, in Cottonwood, Arizona. This present was given, via Santa of course, by the National Sprint Car Museum