Michael Waltrip and Best Western to Plan and Play the Ultimate April Fools’ Family Prank

The Most Creative April Fools’ Prank will be Played on a NASCAR Fan at the Nationwide Series Race in Phoenix in April

PHOENIX, March 19 /PRNewswire/ — Best Western International, the Official Hotel of NASCAR(R), and two-time Daytona 500 winner, Michael Waltrip, will conspire with one race fan to plan the ultimate April Fools’ prank on an unsuspecting friend or family member.

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Now and through April 1, fans are encouraged to visit the Best Western Racing April Fools’ promotional site (www.bestwestern.com/aprilfools) and submit their ideal April Fools’ prank for Waltrip to play on their unsuspecting friend or family member at the Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Phoenix on Friday, April 17, 2009.

Entries submitted through the site will be judged by a Best Western panel of judges, including Waltrip. All entries will be judged on creativity and relevance of the submitted prank, as well as the degree of difficulty.

Once selected, Best Western and Waltrip will secretly work with the winner to plan the April Fools’ prank on the unsuspecting NASCAR fan the week leading up to the Nationwide Series Race in Phoenix. The winner, as well as the unsuspecting friend or family member, will receive roundtrip airfare, lodging tickets to the race and local transportation.

“Creating memorable experiences for NASCAR fans, either in our hotels or at the track, is something that Best Western is committed to as the Official Hotel of NASCAR(R),” said Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Best Western International. “Whether it’s a friendly prank or payback for an embarrassing memory, Michael is sure to have several hilarious pranks to choose from, plan and play in April.”

As an official sponsor of NASCAR since 2004, Best Western has continued to provide race fans with everything they need for an enjoyable and affordable weekend at the races, including breakfast, free high-speed Internet, free in-room coffee, a comfortable stay and the best customer service around. As more and more families continue to feel the pinch of tough economic times, Best Western is helping race fans save money so they can still travel and enjoy the races around the country. Fans who join the free Speed Rewards loyalty program for race fans, and stay any two nights between now and April 5th, will earn double reward points, as well as have a chance to win one million Speed Rewards points.

To join Speed Rewards and find out more about what Best Western is doing to help race fans during these tough economic times, log onto www.bestwesternracing.com.

For official April Fools’ rules, fans should visit www.bestwestern.com/aprilfools.

ABOUT BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL

Best Western International is THE WORLD’S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN(R), providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* independently owned and operated member hotels in 80* countries and territories worldwide. An industry pioneer since 1946, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts 400,000* worldwide guests each night. Best Western’s diverse property portfolio, its greatest strength, stems from a business model designed to give owners maximum flexibility to address market-specific needs. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveler, Best Western recently embarked on a five-year mission to lead the hotel industry in customer care. Since 2004, Best Western has served as the Official Hotel of NASCAR(R). For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bestwestern.com.

*Numbers are approximate and can fluctuate.

    CONTACT:   Heather Wright                       Timothy J. Black
               Best Western International           Allison & Partners
               (602) 957-5752                       (415) 277-4920
               heather.wright@bestwestern.com       tim@allisonpr.com

SOURCE Best Western International