Budweiser Turns to Twitter to Engage NASCAR Fans

On race day, NASCAR fans are not only tuning in, they’re logging on – logging on to Twitter and other social media sites that is – in an effort to be connected to all of the action at the track. Budweiser is tapping into race fans increasing affinity for social media by using Twitter to engage in a new and unprecedented way. The brewer’s latest effort, #SpeedTweets, is a Twitter-based weekly competition that will award 19 fans a trip to Charlotte, N.C., to go-kart race with Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Budweiser Chevrolet SS, in an epic go-kart event.

“Budweiser is always looking for special ways to reward its passionate fans,” said Blaise D’Sylva, vice president of media sports and entertainment marketing, Anheuser-Busch. “We look forward to seeing the #SpeedTweets competition stack up each week as fans continue to get excited for a chance to go-kart race against Kevin.”

#SpeedTweets marks Budweiser’s first Twitter-based fan engagement program of its kind. The contest will run the first 19 weeks of the 2014 NSCS schedule, with Budweiser’s official racing Twitter account, @BudweiserRacing, posting challenges throughout each race weekend. Participants (21 and older only) are required to register at Budweiser.com/SpeedTweets must follow @BudweiserRacing, and must reply to @BudweiserRacing with the hashtag #SpeedTweets in order for their answers to be considered.

The first 43 correct responses from registered users will receive points in varying amounts depending upon the order they replied via a unique online scoring system. Each weekend’s grand prize winner will receive the opportunity to travel to Charlotte, N.C., to race against Harvick and other #SpeedTweets contest winners in a special go-kart event later this year. Contestants who finish second through ninth place in the weekly challenges will win exclusive Budweiser Racing prizes.

“Our fans are very active on social media,” said Harvick. “Twitter has become another way I connect with fans and it’ll be fun to see those fans taking part in the #SpeedTweets challenges each weekend for the opportunity to race against me in a go-kart.”

Fans can keep track of #SpeedTweets weekly results and point standings on Budweiser.com/SpeedTweets just as they keep up with official NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship standings each week.

Budweiser Racing PR