Alltel Wireless, America's largest wireless network, is returning in 2008 with its successful My Circle 500 sweepstakes promotion. Through the promotion, Alltel rewards ten (10) consumers with an all expenses paid trip to Charlotte, NC where they can compete in a go-kart skills competition against Ryan Newman's race team. In Charlotte, the ten (10) recipients will be eligible to win the sweepstakes' $500,000 grand prize. To be eligible for the promotion, fans either need to text RACE to 38229 or log onto ww.alltelracing.com.

In Charlotte, the ten (10) finalists will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Penske Racing Shop and train with the #12 Alltel Dodge team before competing head-to-head in an ultimate go-kart and pit crew challenge. On race day, the finalists will get to take one lap around the go-cart track and change four (4) tires on the #12 car. The fastest team of recipients around the track will win $200,000 and another $300,000 will be rewarded if they can change a set of tires faster than the Alltel pit crew.  

The Alltel My Circle 500 promotion is a great example of taking sweepstakes to the next level - providing fans with an exclusive experience that allows for direct interaction with their favorite superstars (in this case, the race team). As marketers, we can strive to develop more innovative programs that really put consumers in the driver seat.