• August 31, 2011

Office Depot has tapped two small businesses as finalists for a $1 million prize in its annual "Official Small Business of NASCAR, Courtesy of Office Depot" sweepstakes. Office Depot, which is "Official Office Products Partner of NASCAR,"partnered with 3M for the promotion.

Finalists Kacie Howard, owner of HuckleBerry Pets, in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Sara Mortensen, owner of Bales Mold Service, Inc., in Downers Grove, Ill., will be officially introduced during an event this Sept. 2, at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet Impala, and Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion will each feature one finalist's logo on their respective race cars during this weekend's nationally televised Sprint Cup Series.

The small business featured on the highest-finishing driver's car at the end of Sunday's race will be named the 2011 "Official Small Business of NASCAR, Courtesy of Office Depot." The winner gets to use that title for one year.  Additionally, if Stewart or Biffle win the race, the small business featured on the winning car gets $1 million. As finalists, both Howard and Mortensen receive a $10,000 small business makeover from Office Depot and a VIP experience this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Norris Scott, vice president partnership marketing and business solutions for NASCAR. said, in a release, "This program provides the kind of exposure and resources that most small businesses typically cannot afford."