Catchfence

“Social media, grassroots effort raised sponsorship funding”

Mooresville, N.C. (February 14, 2011) - If anyone doubts that Alli Owens has some of the most dedicated fans in racing, the evidence can be seen on her race truck. After losing her primary sponsor at the conclusion of last season, Owens faced the daunting task of finding the funds to compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race at Daytona International Speedway (DIS). Owens turned to her social media resources, which proved to be a winning move. The support of her fans has afforded Owens the opportunity to make her first NASCAR start in this week’s NextEra Energy Resources 250.

Owens’ grassroots effort rallied her fans and local sponsors to contribute to her cause. Within weeks, Owens raised enough money to subsidize her No. 76 Ray Hackett Racing Ford F-150 at the famed Florida race track. Local Daytona establishments Mullinax Ford, Rue and Ziffra, P.A., Giles Electric Company, AXA, Miller Electric Company, NECA North Florida, Bob Evans of Port Orange, IBEW Local Chapters 756, 915, 1205, 613 and 222 all contributed to the cause. She has rewarded her supporters by placing their indivdual names on her truck.

“It has been overwhelming to see the support of my fans,” Owens said. “When I lost my primary sponsor during the off season, I didn’t know if I’d be able to race at all this year. I’m so fortunate for my fans. They’re truly the best. I can’t thank them enough for all of their dedication. It means the world to me. I’ve had kids, adults, friends, strangers and everyone in between donate money for me to race. Their names will all be on my truck and I’m going to do everything I can to bring them a win.”

No stranger to DIS or restrictor plate racing, Owens sat on the outside pole in 2009 for the ARCA event at DIS. In 2010 at DIS, she ran inside the top five for the majority of the ARCA race before being shuffled out of the draft in the closing stages of the event. Owens recorded her best ARCA finish at Talladega Superspeedway in 2009, finishing in the top-10.

With sponsorship in place, Owens is ready to focus on the task at hand.

“I’m so excited to make my first NASCAR start,” Owens said. “Growing up in Daytona, I’ve dreamed of this since I was a kid. It took a lot of hard work and effort to get to this point and I can’t wait to hit the track.”

- Breaking Limits Press Release