Daytona Beach, Fla.
– The 2007 race season just got bigger for Bobby Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team. TFriday, Cheerios®
announced a season-long Race For Books program that will begin this weekend during the 49th annual Daytona 500. The
program will continue through the season-finale at the Homestead-Miami (Fla.)
Speedway on November 18.
Understanding the importance
of getting new books into the hands of young children, Cheerios and nonprofit partner First Book® will donate 43 books for
every lap that Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team complete during the entire 2007 race season. With
a schedule that includes 36 races, Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team have the opportunity to earn more
than 400,000 books for children in need.
“Cheerios is proud to
announce the Race For Books program in 2007,” said Ricardo Fernandez, marketing manager for Cheerios. “Bobby is a true
champion on and off the track. This is another chance to make a difference by earning books for children who need them.
We are hoping for a successful 2007 season with the team on the track and making a big difference off the track as well.”
Labonte, a father of
two, truly appreciates the importance of getting books to every child possible.
“As a father and professional
racer I know how important reading is,” said Labonte. “Reading is a part
of life every day. We are looking forward to success on the track in 2007, but now we can be winners off the track,
too. I am proud to be associated with Cheerios and First Book. We are going to work as hard as we can to earn
as many books as possible.”
This is not the first
time that Cheerios, First Book and Labonte have teamed up to get books to kids in need. Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty
Crocker Dodge team earned more than 125,000 books in the final 10 races of 2006. He recorded four top-10 finishes during
that stretch. SCR
