IRWIN Industrial Tools®, “Tell Us Vise-Grip Your Story”

Irwin has been sponsoring a “Tell Us Vise-Grip Your Story” Contest since July 1, 2008. The stories were limited to a hundred (100) words or less essay about how your Irwin Vise-Grip have saved the day. IRWIN Industrial Tools®, a Newell Rubbermaid® company and maker of the most reliable and versatile locking tools, offered many great prizes including Irwin tools, trips to New York, Cabela’s gift cards and a grand prize of either a Custom Chopper or $25,000 cash.

Moses Smith is the driver of the Camping World Series West #16 Hasa Pool Products/White Flyer Toyota Camry. His father Paul sent in a story. You guessed it, it was race related. Irwin officially announced today that Paul’s entry was chosen as one of the top three entries in the promotion. (Click here to view announcement)

By making it into the top-ten finalists, Paul had already won a tool bag filled with Irwin Vise-Grip pliers and wrenches (ARV: $550). I am sure the MSR team will make good use of these multitalented tools.

Paul’s move into the top-three promises even more rewards. In addition to the trip to New York, he will receive $500.00 spending money. Further, we are still in contention for the top prize!

The Top – Three Prize Breakdown:

• Grand Prize: Winner's choice of a) A custom all-new IRWIN Vise-Grip custom chopper (motorcycle) or b) $25,000.
  
  
• First Runner-Up Prize: $1,000 Cabela's gift card
  
  
• Second Runner-Up Prize: $500 Cabela's gift card

Boy that $25,000 top prize would sure help Paul and me with our 2009 race expenses. I could get that new laptop I need to do my ‘at the track’ updates. The readers would no longer have to hear complaints about my out-dated eight-year-old artifact. You can bet that the new laptop would be adorned with IRWIN Industrial Tools® stickers. Also, although the custom chopper is tempting, the cash would cover all our NCWSW travel expenses for 2009.

Hummm, talking about stickers, I wonder if the executives at Irwin would be interested in talking about sponsorship for Moses’ 2009 season? Do you think I should bring some autographed hats and t-shirts?

Paul and I are honored to be chosen one of the top three entries in the Irwin “Tell Us Your Vice-Grip Story” promotion and are looking forward to attending the IRWIN VISE-GRIP Tell Us Your Vise-Grip Story Press Event in New York, New York. The trip is to be completed by February 28th. This works perfectly into our schedule since Moses' first race, the Allstate Texas Racefest, in Kyle, Texas is not until March 14th.

We will be blogging about our trip and posting photos as well!

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On March 7th, 2009, Geek Radio will be giving away an MSI Wind Netbook.

That’s all there is to it! It doesn’t matter how old you are, or where you live in this World of ours. You can still win! Geek Radio hopes that all of you will take the time to enter this contest. After all, it’s not every day you have a chance to win something like this!

Someone’s going to win an MSI Wind Netbook very soon - and I am hoping that it might be z.!

Irwin - Final Cut Into The Top-Three

We received that most wanted and waited for email from the Irwin “Tell Us Your Vice-Grip Story” people!

“Congratulations! You have been selected to receive a prize by registering in the Tell us your vise-grip story, administered by ePrize.

Howdy – are we excited! Pending verification, we made that final cut into the top-three finalists! This means that we will be flying to New York, New York for a press event! Paul and I have never been to New York, so this will be quite an adventure. Anyone have any must see destinations there?

By making it into the top-ten finalists, we had already won a Tool bag of Irwin Vise-Grip pliers and wrenches (ARV: $550). Our move into the top-three promises even more rewards. In addition to our trip to New York, we will receive $500.00 spending money. Further, we are still in contention for the top prize!

THANK YOU to all who voted for Paul's story!

The Top – Three Prize Breakdown:

1. Grand Prize: Winner's choice of a) A custom all-new IRWIN Vise-Grip custom chopper (motorcycle) or b) $25,000.
   
   
2. First Runner-Up Prize: $1,000 Cabela's gift card
   
   
3. Second Runner-Up Prize: $500 Cabela's gift card

Paul and I want to thank IRWIN Industrial Tools®, a Newell Rubbermaid® company and maker of the most reliable and versatile locking tools, the IRWIN® VISE-GRIP®, for running the “Tell Us Your IRWIN VISE-GRIP Story” promotion. They receive hundreds of stories which shared different and unique ways the Irwin VISE-GRIP were used to solve various problems.

"IRWIN VISE-GRIP tools have been a mainstay in the toolboxes of professional tradesmen, contractors and home owners for more than 80 years. During that time, we've seen many imaginative ways that people have used VISE-GRIP tools to solve a variety of construction or every day challenges that highlight its performance and durability," said Curt Weber, director of marketing, IRWIN Industrial Tools. "We're excited to create a formal opportunity for consumers to share their unique VISE-GRIP stories with us and reward them for their loyalty and creativity."

The VISE-GRIP Locking Tool was invented in 1924 by William Petersen, a Danish immigrant and blacksmith in DeWitt, Neb. Today, as a result of innovation and product development at IRWIN, the VISE-GRIP brand includes a variety of innovative pliers, wrenches and tools for specialty jobs.

We are honored to be chosen one of the top three entries in the Irwin “Tell Us Your Vice-Grip Story” promotion. You can bet we got our affidavits in the return mail as quickly as possible. We are looking forward to attending the IRWIN VISE-GRIP Tell Us Your Vise-Grip Story Press Event in New York, New York.

We will be blogging about our trip and posting photos as well!

Jason Mitchener - Obstacles Don't Get In His Way!

I met a very motivating friend on twitter, Jason Mitchener. Mitchener, a Phoenix, Arizona resident was born with a rare neuromuscular disease that now confines him to an electric wheelchair and requires him to use a ventilator to breathe. Nevertheless, while his body may be confined, but his spirit soars free. He is very upbeat and positive individual. (You can follow him on twitter.)

What brought us together is the fact that my son’s race shop is also in Phoenix and Jason shares a love of NASCAR with me. So we started tweeting. Due to several setbacks, including a van in need of intensive repairs, Jason has not been able to attend his church and has had to decline engagements to appear as a motivational speaker. It seems to be such a felony that not only does Jason’s disability render his mobility limited; his lack of a Wheelchair Van restricts him even further!

Consequently, Jason has not been able to attend a NASCAR race in several years either. However, I learned that Dale Sr. is Jason’s favorite driver. I teased that his favorite driver should be my son, Moses Smith, but Jason remained steadfast on "The Intimidator."

Recently Diane Sullivan, from a local Phoenix ministry called “Wheels from Above,” nominated Jason for the NASCAR Angels show in hopes of having his Wheelchair Van fixed. For those of you who do not know, the NASCAR Angels hit the road with a simple mission: to help people and to fix broken cars. With the help of the pros in neighborhood garages and products of NASCAR performance partners, NASCAR Angels help make dreams come true for those in need.

Wouldn’t it be spectacular, if Jason could get his van fixed before NASCAR rumbles into Phoenix for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 on 04/18/2009? I am sure my son would be honored to host Jason if he were able attend my son’s Camping World Series West race to contested in Phoenix two day earlier.

If you visit Jason’s website, you will find that he has traveled a rough road to reach his current state of grace. He has turned his attention to writing and preaching. His song lyrics and devotional writing inspire and encourage Christians to draw closer to God. Jason challenges his audiences to not let the things they cannot do get in the way of the things they can do. I hope the NASCAR Angels will recognize the genuine necessity of Jason’s nomination and help him become mobile again!

Rusty Wallace and Shannon Wiseman if you happen to read this blog please let me know if I and/or my son can do anything to help make Jason’s dream a reality!

One of the Ten Semi-Finalists in the Irwin "Tell Us Your Vise Grip Story" Sweepstakes

Checking the website and it appears that we are one of the ten Semi-Finalists in the Irwin "Tell Us Your Vise Grip Story" Sweepstakes. This would mean that at the very least, Paul won a Tool bag of Vise-Grip pliers and wrenches (contents of tool bag determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion). ARV: $550. What an excellent prize – I know that Paul will make good use of his new tool bag!

The rules state: After the conclusion of the Voting Phase, a different group of qualified judges determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion will select from amongst the Semi-Finalists the top three (3) Contest Entries ("Finalists") based on the Judging Criteria (defined above). Each Finalist will be a potential Top 3 Finalist Prize winner. The qualified judges will then select the potential Contest Grand Prize, First Runner-Up Prize, and Second Runner-Up Prize winners from amongst the Finalists based on the Judging Criteria. In the case of a tie, the entrant whose Contest Entry received the highest score in the Fit with Theme category will be deemed the winner from amongst the tied entrants.

Thanks to everyone who voted for us! We will keep you posted! Please think good positive thoughts about us making the cut and becoming one of the three finalists in the Irwin "Tell Us Your Vise Grip Story" Sweepstakes! That would mean an awesome trip to New York!

NASCAR Is Host To Many Gentlemen

Did you enjoy the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Banquet? I sure did. Who wouldn’t take pleasure in experiencing Jimmie Johnson officially being crowned as the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion amid the opulence of the Waldorf-Astoria, live on ESPN?

I reveled in the history bestowed on the crowd by the King, Richard Lee Petty. There is a racer who truly understood that this sport would be nowhere without its fans. Throughout Petty's career, but especially during his prime, he was known to stand for hours - backed against a fence, signing autographs to everyone who asked. Richard Petty is a true gentleman.

Then the show became very personal to me when the Chevrolet President Ed Peper walked on stage to accept the manufacturer's championship. My husband and I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Peper in September of 2006. Paul had written a short story about his 1991 Chevy Silverado truck (story) and won a trip to Dallas, Texas to take part in the public introduction of the all new Chevy Silverado.

It was an awesome trip. We met Montgomery Gentry; after which we were wined and dined at a V.I.P. party where they gave a private concert. Paul and I attended the Texas State Fair. We were treated to a Cowboy Crush concert and met with them. We were even given an autographed guitar with inlayed bowtie emblems on the fret bar. It is beautiful.

However, what I remember the most is how genuinely nice Mr. Peper was. While sharing a ride to the fairgrounds, we had a nice conversation about our son’s racing experiences. Mr. Peper was such a gentleman and very informed. It was only later that I discovered he was the Chevrolet General Manager.

Seeing Mr. Peper on stage at the awards banquet brought back a flood of fond memories. However, I was saddened to hear him announce his company tribulations. "This is the fight of our lives," he said. I wish him and Chevrolet the best for 2009.

Irwin - Tell Us Your Vise Grip Story

Hello, my husband Paul is one of the 50 finalists. We are so excited and are asking for your daily votes.

Just log on to the website at:
http://irwin.eprize.net/visegripstory/index.tbapp

Enter your email (lower left of screen) & Click the submit button
(if you are not registered with the site, it will ask you to register)

For Promotional Code - Enter Cooltool

Now you are ready to vote.

Click the vote now button (middle left of screen)

Enter Paul's email address in the search by email address box (under photos) and click the >>
paul@promotorsports1.com

That will get you to his entry (paulie valley center) - click on it, read his story, and vote.
(vote for this story - big yellow button)

As a reward for voting - You get to play an Instant Win Game.
You could win cool prizes.

Thank you for your help with this contest and keep your fingers crossed.
Tip- you can place this contest link on your desktop and that will remind you to vote everyday.

z. & Paulie