Catchfence

Minneapolis, Minn. (February 9, 2010) – With Speedweeks officially under way, voting is now open for the 2010 NASCAR® National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hamburger Helper Most Popular Driver Award. Once again, the competition will include a 10-week playoff at season’s end, with the top 10 vote-getters vying for the final prize.

Fans can visit www.HelpersMostPopularDriver.com and vote once a day for their favorite NASCAR® Sprint Cup driver. Following the race event at Richmond International Raceway, voting for the full field of 41 drivers will end on September 11 at 11:59 PM CT. At that point, the 10 drivers with the most votes will be announced as finalists and the vote count will reset to zero. Fans will then have 10 race weeks to cast their vote once a day to determine the 2010 NASCAR® NMPA Hamburger Helper Most Popular Driver winner from the final field of 10 drivers. Voting will conclude November 22 at 11:59 PM CT and the winner will be announced at the NASCAR® NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon in December.

New title sponsor Hamburger Helper is eager to get involved with this fan-favorite activity.

“Racing fans are so dedicated to their favorite driver, they really get excited to vote for him every day,” said Sarita T. Finnie, marketing manager for Hamburger Helper. “It almost becomes a competition among the fans to show their support – one they have a lot of fun with. Hamburger Helper is thrilled to be a part of this great tradition.”

Last season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. earned his seventh consecutive Hamburger Helper Most Popular Driver Award, which is administered by the NMPA. Only Earnhardt Jr. and Bill Elliott have won the award seven consecutive times since the award’s inception in 1953.

“The NMPA is proud to be associated with Hamburger Helper in giving fans a chance to determine the winner of this coveted award,” said Dustin Long, president of the NMPA. “This award is for the fans, giving them a voice to be heard on who their favorite driver is.”

Hamburger Helper has been making dinner easy for 40 years and is proud to sponsor the NASCAR® NMPA Most Popular Driver Award. Voters are not only encouraged to vote every day for their favorite driver, but are also reminded that Hamburger Helper is a fast and easy race-day meal for the family.

For more information and to vote on the NASCAR® NMPA Hamburger Helper Most Popular Driver Award, fans should log on to www.HelpersMostPopularDriver.com.

- Breaking Limits Marketing for General Mills, Press Release