5th Place! NASCARITAVILLE/Spirit of Vicki/PartiesThat Matter

[dnw]

Thanks for the update, SP. Have fun at the races.

[srkmrd]

GREAT NEW SP! Persistence pays! That will make a great start to auction items for next year for a great cause. Wish you could be there next week but sounds like you will be having a great time with your son………..and maybe even pick up some autographs for him (and the auction )

[Grams]

Thanks SP for keeping on them.. Great auction item for next year and of course free racing is always good.. You and your son have a great time!!!

[ScarletB]

This sounds like the same kind of BS reasons I sometimes deal with in my job. I don't give up easily either and it's good you remained respectful but persistent.

[Left Field ParrotHead]

Nice work sp!!

Next year we will be in the top ten for sure!!

[Snowparrot]

Not bad, Sp.
Now could you get back to that "dumb" comic strip?
Or did the Critters get run over by Nascar?

[surfpirate]

Not bad, Sp.
Now could you get back to that "dumb" comic strip?
Or did the Critters get run over by Nascar?

shhhh .... no one else has noticed that I quit writing the strip

[springparrot]

Toyota Racing is taking some accountability and attempting to make amends.

While absolutely nothing can make up for the fact that Toyota Racing made an absolute mess of the process
and robbed our entry of a legitimate chance to compete as one of the ten finalists, they are finally taking
some accountability and have reached out to me with actually personal contact and not anonymous emails.

I have been in contact over the past two weeks with a representative of Toyota Racing. He called me and we
have had several discussions about how this whole thing fell apart. He took the time to address every single one
of my issues. Everything was on the table.

Privately he acknowledged that our entry was one that they were "very excited about" and that they had
been "looking forward to seeing the NASCARitaville entry in the final ten". However he placed the decision to
disqualify our entry on NASCAR and not on Toyota Racing because of our use of an image which invoked the
official NASCAR logo.

When I pointed out that one of the selected finalists used *the actual NASCAR logo*, he waggled a bit and finally
stated that "use of the actual NASCAR logo would have been okay, but that NASCAR did not like our entry's
interpretation of the NASCAR logo". Hmmmm .... okay .... not sure I am buying that but .....

As an attempt to make amends, Toyota Racing is doing the following for us:

1. We will receive the equivalent prize package that all of the ten finalists receive:

"A customized helmet featuring the Finalist's "Sponsafied" car graphics. Size of helmet and design/layout of
graphics selected by Sponsor in its sole discretion. ARV: $1,250."

This will include the NASCARITAVILLE logo; the Parties That Matter and "Spirit of Vicki" images, etc.
Unfortunately we will not receive it for another 2 - 3 months. When I do, I will donate it to Parties That Matter
for a very cool, unique, one-of-kind auction item for NEXT YEAR's Frisco Feeding Frenzy charity auction.
I will even start the bidding myself at, oh say $500 (I want it, but if I am outbid ... all the better for Parties That Matter).

2. For any future Sponsafier entry we may submit (Fall of 2011 or Spring of 2012), I have a point of contact
that will review our entry and make sure that this type of screw-up does not happen again.

As I stated earlier, nothing makes up for the fact that we we robbed of a legitimate chance to move on in this contest,
but I am willing to accept the that they are now taking some accountability and move on.

I will be attending the race this weekend as a guest of Toyota Racing and may have more information down the road.
I am taking my 11 year old son with me (a huge NASCAR and Joe Gibbs Racing fan). He is very excited.

I have so much to say about this whole mess, HOWEVER

HAVE A FANTASTIC TRIP AND ENJOY THE SPECIAL TIME WITH YOUR SON!!!

[pair8head]

Not bad, Sp.
Now could you get back to that "dumb" comic strip?
Or did the Critters get run over by Nascar?

shhhh .... no one else has noticed that I quit writing the strip

Yes we have, we just thought we'd give you a break.

[PA Parrot]

Not bad, Sp.
Now could you get back to that "dumb" comic strip?
Or did the Critters get run over by Nascar?

shhhh .... no one else has noticed that I quit writing the strip

Yes we have, we just thought we'd give you a break.

We all have noticed. Now it's time for you to get off your lazy butt and start doing things for our amusement again. You work for us, don't you know? You're letting work and family get in the way of our comic enjoyment. Just kidding SP. You do a great job. We know the strip will come back when you are ready. In the meantime....enjoy a little downtime.

[Snowparrot]

Not bad, Sp.
Now could you get back to that "dumb" comic strip?
Or did the Critters get run over by Nascar?

shhhh .... no one else has noticed that I quit writing the strip

Yes we have, we just thought we'd give you a break.

We all have noticed. Now it's time for you to get off your lazy butt and start doing things for our amusement again. You work for us, don't you know? You're letting work and family get in the way of our comic enjoyment. Just kidding SP. You do a great job. We know the strip will come back when you are ready. In the meantime....enjoy a little downtime.

[nutmeg]

Not bad, Sp.
Now could you get back to that "dumb" comic strip?
Or did the Critters get run over by Nascar?

shhhh .... no one else has noticed that I quit writing the strip

We were just being polite...can't be greedy ya know.

[aeroparrot]

Toyota Racing is taking some accountability and attempting to make amends.

While absolutely nothing can make up for the fact that Toyota Racing made an absolute mess of the process
and robbed our entry of a legitimate chance to compete as one of the ten finalists, they are finally taking
some accountability and have reached out to me with actually personal contact and not anonymous emails.

I have been in contact over the past two weeks with a representative of Toyota Racing. He called me and we
have had several discussions about how this whole thing fell apart. He took the time to address every single one
of my issues. Everything was on the table.

Privately he acknowledged that our entry was one that they were "very excited about" and that they had
been "looking forward to seeing the NASCARitaville entry in the final ten". However he placed the decision to
disqualify our entry on NASCAR and not on Toyota Racing because of our use of an image which invoked the
official NASCAR logo.

When I pointed out that one of the selected finalists used *the actual NASCAR logo*, he waggled a bit and finally
stated that "use of the actual NASCAR logo would have been okay, but that NASCAR did not like our entry's
interpretation of the NASCAR logo". Hmmmm .... okay .... not sure I am buying that but .....

As an attempt to make amends, Toyota Racing is doing the following for us:

1. We will receive the equivalent prize package that all of the ten finalists receive:

"A customized helmet featuring the Finalist's "Sponsafied" car graphics. Size of helmet and design/layout of
graphics selected by Sponsor in its sole discretion. ARV: $1,250."

This will include the NASCARITAVILLE logo; the Parties That Matter and "Spirit of Vicki" images, etc.
Unfortunately we will not receive it for another 2 - 3 months. When I do, I will donate it to Parties That Matter
for a very cool, unique, one-of-kind auction item for NEXT YEAR's Frisco Feeding Frenzy charity auction.
I will even start the bidding myself at, oh say $500 (I want it, but if I am outbid ... all the better for Parties That Matter).

2. For any future Sponsafier entry we may submit (Fall of 2011 or Spring of 2012), I have a point of contact
that will review our entry and make sure that this type of screw-up does not happen again.

As I stated earlier, nothing makes up for the fact that we we robbed of a legitimate chance to move on in this contest,
but I am willing to accept the that they are now taking some accountability and move on.

I will be attending the race this weekend as a guest of Toyota Racing and may have more information down the road.
I am taking my 11 year old son with me (a huge NASCAR and Joe Gibbs Racing fan). He is very excited.

At least that's a start.

[txaggirl91]

I'm glad to see Toyota stepping up to the plate on this.

Can't wait to hear how things go at the race!

[springparrot]

Hope you are having a great time at the races.

[surfpirate]

Hope you are having a great time at the races.

Next weekend .....

[springparrot]

Hope you are having a great time at the races.

Next weekend .....

crap...so close
but you said

I will be attending the race this weekend as a guest of Toyota Racing and may have more information down the road.
I am taking my 11 year old son with me (a huge NASCAR and Joe Gibbs Racing fan). He is very excited.

Well, then have fun NEXT weekend

[Left Field ParrotHead]

Hey SP!!

Updates...? Pics...?

[surfpirate]

Hey SP!!

Updates...? Pics...?

We (surfpirate jr. and myself) had a blast. First class VIP stuff all the way.

I have a tone of photos and video to share as soon as I get a chance.
My entire house is currently a wreck as we are doing major renovations right now.
My office and computer are difficult to navigate for the next couple of weeks,
but as soon as things clear up a bit .... I'll get things back to normal
(and maybe even write a comic strip again).

Here's a brief summary.

We had an opportunity to meet a few drivers in one-on-one settings.
Surfpirate jr. was speechless when he met his favorite driver Kyle Busch.
We also met Joey Logano.

We had the opportunity to get behind the scenes in the garages and down on pit row
for two nights of racing. I kept hoping to meet Joe Gibbs, but we missed him both nights.
I also never got a chance to get a photo with *Miss Sprint Cup* (a blonde hottie). Bummer.

We met the Sponsafier Winner family ..... CHELSEA'S HOPE. They are wonderful people.
We met Jessica, a beautiful young girl who suffers from Lafora Disease, which
Chelsea's Hope is dedicated. For more information and photos please visit
www.ChelseasHope.org

Jessica's grandfather submitted the Chelsea's Hope entry in honor of his granddaughter.
Jessica's mother was wonderful and gave me a HUGE HUG and expressed her thanks for
all that we did throwing our NASCARITAVILLE PARTIES THAT MATTER support their way.
They have promised to support us 100% in any future entry we may consider.

The BIG THRILL for surfpirate jr. and myself this weekend was the opportunity to drive one of
21 Toyota Tundra Trucks around the Charlotte Motor Speedway track 15 minutes before the start
of the All-Star Race.

Each driver and their pit crew were introduced to the crowd of 80,000+ amid blaring music and
fireworks from the main stage and then they climbed into the back truck bed of one of the
21 Toyota Tundras and were driven around the track to wave to the crowd.

Turn 1 .... Turn 2 .... back straightaway ..... Turn 3 ..... Turn 4 .... then down pit road.

surfpirate jr. was beside himself grinning ear-to-ear and waving to the crowd as his dad
resisted the temptation to exceed the 35 mph speed limit we were asked to drive.
I sooooooooooooo wanted to floor it and head up those banks into the turns.

We drove #33 driver Clint Bowyer and his pit crew around the track. Very cool.

As soon as things settler a bit. I'll post photos and video.

[Left Field ParrotHead]

Nice...

Glad you and Jr had a great time. You both deserved it.