HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (June 30, 2010) – The Interstate All Battery Center logos will be prominently featured on Kyle Busch’s No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry for Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

For the talented 25-year-old, it might be a very fitting theme. Interstate All Battery Centers have “every battery for every need,” and those franchisees, along with all the Interstate dealers and distributors from across the country and the world, have come to learn that Busch is the embodiment of “every driver for every type of racetrack.”

This week he’ll look to get his second victory at one of the biggest of them all, the 2.5-mile superspeedway oval at Daytona.

As Interstate All Battery Centers have batteries from the smallest of the small to the biggest of the big, Busch has won at all sorts of tracks, from small to large and everything in between. While some drivers excel at one particular type of track, Busch has proven he is capable of winning at each and every type of circuit on the schedule, from the half-mile bullrings to huge restrictor-plate tracks like Daytona.

In fact, of his 18 career Sprint Cup victories, 14 of those have come at different racetracks. A closer look reveals that Busch has won multiple times on the short tracks at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. He’s also captured multiple wins at the 1-mile Dover (Del.) International Speedway, and one win apiece on the flat 1-mile New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon and Phoenix International Raceway. He’s also won on the tricky 1.33-mile, egg-shaped oval at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

Want a driver who can win on the 1.5-mile or 2-mile high-speed ovals? Busch is also your man. He has scored victories at the 2-mile Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., the 1.5-mile ovals at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., and his hometown Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Want a road-course ringer? No problem there, either. Busch captured both road course Sprint Cup wins in 2008 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., and Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, respectively.

Finally, want a driver who can win on the biggest of the big. Busch has done that, as well. He has 2008 wins at the 2.66-mile Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and the aforementioned win, in Interstate Batteries colors, at the 2.5-mile Daytona oval two years ago this weekend.

So, with Busch getting some extra backing from Interstate All Battery Center locations (www.allbatteryfranchise.com) across all 50 states, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, he knows they have every battery for every need, and that he is their driver for just about every racetrack.

KYLE BUSCH: Driver, No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry at Daytona International Speedway

Does your approach at Daytona change from the Daytona 500 to the Coke Zero 400?

“No, not really. Your strategy doesn’t change a whole lot. Forty laps, I think, is the distance change. It’s not a lot – just one pit stop – so you have a little bit shorter time there. The other thing you deal with is just the track conditions being the way they are and the summertime with it being so hot and slick. It tends to have the races kind of run a little bit more strung out than is typical in February. This is the last race on that surface of the racetrack in Daytona. I will miss it. Hopefully, some of the other drivers will, too. We’ve got to make the racing surface right so we don’t have another problem like we did in the 500. I’m looking forward to it and hope we can have one more good run there before they repave it and it races a lot like Talladega. I haven’t been able to get Interstate Batteries in victory lane in a while, so I hope we can for Norm (Miller, Interstate Chairman) and the Interstate All Battery stores.”

Of your 18 Sprint Cup wins, 14 of them have been at different racetracks. What has made you so good at every kind of racetrack?

“A lot of it has to do with just good equipment from Joe Gibbs Racing. The more experience I get on these racetracks, the more I learn. Pocono used to be one of my worst tracks, but Dave (Rogers, crew chief) and everyone at JGR gave me a really good car there a few weeks ago and we finished second. Whether it’s a test or a race, I learn something new every weekend. I learned a lot about Pocono from tire testing with my truck there and to finish second to Denny (Hamlin), who is so good there. It was a really good day. As far as restrictor-plate racing goes, we have good cars, but I think everyone knows you have to put yourself in a position to win at those tracks and hope you pick the right lane and drafting partner at the end. At Daytona in February, we had a pretty good car, but we got caught in the slower, bottom lane for those last restarts and we just couldn’t go anywhere.”

Do you think the new spoiler has been the reason for so many race winners this year?

“I think it’s just purely circumstance. I don’t think there’s really a lot to it. Unfortunately, there haven’t been more winners, but I wish my name was up there a little bit more often than what it is. We’ve had some good learning experiences going from the wing to the spoiler, and we’ve got, hopefully, some more to go, still. That will always change the action, anyway. Some guys might pick up on something and be really, really fast, and then you’re chasing them. We just have to play it out and keep trying to race.”

Are you more concerned with the amount of bonus points other drivers have going into the Chase, as well as your preparation for the Chase?

“If you could have everything, you want both. You want to be prepared, you want to be ready to go, but you also want to have as many bonus points as you can. You would want to go in there with a big lead, somewhat similar to what I had in 2008. Jimmie (Johnson) is always going to be right there with you. He’s got four wins, and Denny (Hamlin) has five. Those guys are pretty close. We’ve got two, a couple of other guys have one, some have none. The bonus points can mean a lot when it comes down to it, or depending on how you run through the Chase, they can mean nothing. If you peak at the right time and you win five out of the last 10, then, boom, you’ve got a big advantage going through the Chase.”

You’ve got the Interstate All Battery Center paint scheme this weekend. Since they’re best known for having every battery for every need, what’s the one battery-powered device you can’t live without?

“That’s a no-brainer. I couldn’t live without my cell phone. I’m always checking my e-mail and texting, so I run through a lot of batteries just by doing that. We forget how many things we use every day that use batteries, so it’s nice to have an Interstate All Battery Center around the corner. I visited the All Battery Center convention earlier this year, and I got a lot of encouragement from all the franchisees who were there. We’d really like to get Interstate Batteries back in victory lane this weekend at Daytona.”

For franchising information, visit www.allbatteryfranchise.com.

Interstate Batteries is proud to be title sponsor for the 94.9 FM KLTY Interstate Batteries Celebrate Freedom 20 – the  largest free outdoor concert in America. The event will be held this Saturday, June 26, at Southfork Ranch in Parker, Texas. Gates open at 9 a.m., and the first band performs at 10 a.m.

“It’s certainly amazing to think we have been partnering with KLTY on Celebrate Freedom for 14 straight years. We are proud to be involved in such a great family-friendly event,” said Interstate Batteries Chairman Norm Miller. “It allows us to give back to the community, reward our employees and provide some free, God-honoring entertainment from artists like Mercy Me, Third Day and Amy Grant. “

Guests can come by the Interstate Batteries tent and take a picture with our No. 18 Toyota race car or our outrageous race limo, and they can pick up some free NASCAR race goodies. You can also learn about IAmSecond.com, a website with great stories of changed lives that’s attracted more than 2 million visitors from around the world.

“That’s outrageous – and since we aim to be the Outrageously Dependable battery, Celebrate Freedom is our kind of event,” Norm said. “Come on out!”

Tickets are free, and you can print them out here.

By the way, Norm will appear Friday on KLTY’s “5@5” segment during Tony Lopez’s show. Tune in and learn more about this fantastic concert!

To learn more about Celebrate Freedom, visit the official Web page or “like” Celebrate Freedom on Facebook.

Speaking of Facebook, Interstate Batteries will have gatherings and giveaway contests specifically for our Facebook friends throughout the day Saturday. Simply “like” the Interstate Batteries page on Facebook and check in periodically via your mobile phone. See you there!

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Interstate All Battery Center joined NBC TODAY’s Al Roker this morning to surprise an Iowa Homeless Youth Center facility in Des Moines, Iowa with much needed batteries.  All Battery Center franchisees Matt and Nancy Breen, from nearby Ames, Iowa, helped Roker deliver hundreds of batteries to The Buchanan Transitional Living House, a facility for youth ages 16-22, where residents receive assistance with employment, education, and life skills in order to transition to self-sufficiency. Also on hand were dozens of Interstate team members from Des Moines showing their outrageous dependability!

Interstate All Battery Center joins other corporations in providing products for selected charities as part of the popular NBC TODAY weatherman’s ninth annual “TODAY’s Lend a Hand” tour this week to five U.S. cities.

“Interstate All Battery Center is proud to support the ‘TODAY’s Lend a Hand’ program, and specifically, the work and mission of the Buchanan Transitional Living House,” said Scott Miller, Vice President of Interstate All Battery Center.  “In these economically challenging times, we believe it is important to reach out to our neighbors in need.  Interstate All Battery Center is happy to donate these batteries to help the facility continue to provide important services to the Des Moines community.”

Watch the video from this morning:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The new Interstate All Battery Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., was featured on television station KSFY this weekend. The store collected nonperishable food items for the Sioux Falls Children’s Inn during its grand opening. Take a look:

Interstate Batteries’ most recent TV commercials have been winning acclaim from the advertising community. So far, “Pinball” and “Tight Fit” have combined for five awards:

Telly Awards

(silver is their highest award):

• “Tight Fit” won the Automotive commercial category with a Silver award
• “Tight Fit” also won the Use of Humor commercial category with a Silver award
• “Pinball” got a bronze in the Automotive category for online commercial
• “Pinball” got a bronze in the Use of Humor category for online commercial

Dallas Society of Visual Communications:

• “Pinball” won the DSVC bronze award

Production of the commercials involved dozens of hard-working people – enough for a feature-length film! Congratulations and specific thanks to the following:

• Firehouse (advertising agency) – Concept and script by Everett Wilder and Jason Fox
• Anonymous Content (direction and production)– Director Patrick Sherman and Producer Paul Ure
• Radium (editing and visual effects) – Executive Creative Director Dale Carman and Producer Samantha Daniel
• And Suneeva for additional production work

Have you seen the commercials? Watch them below and tell us what you think in the comments!

Tight Fit

Pinball

Sometimes it seems like Team Interstate is everywhere! In addition to our sponsorships of NASCAR and NHRA teams, we’re proud sponsors of JGRMX – the Joe Gibbs Racing Motocross team, with riders Josh Grant and Justin Brayton.

Earlier this month, JGRMX competed at Freestone Raceway in Central Texas, and the Interstate team was there. Take a look:

Are you a motocross fan? Let us know in the comments below.

Interstate All Battery Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., will hold its grand opening this weekend, benefiting the Sioux Falls Children’s Inn.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable item for the Children’s Inn, and in return they’ll receive a free 24-pack of AA batteries.

The Children’s Inn was established in 1977 as an emergency shelter for children in Sioux Falls who were victims of abuse and neglect. It opened as an unfurnished bungalow provided by Avera McKennan Hospital, and it was one of the first 10 abuse shelters in the United States. Since its humble beginnings, the Children’s Inn has expanded its programs and services to women and children who have been victims of domestic violence.

Sioux Falls radio station KRRO (103.7 FM) will broadcast live from the store on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and hold a drawing for two qualifiers in KRRO’s Dream Garage Giveaway. Interstate All Battery Center has donated a year’s worth of batteries (up to $500) for the giveaway. Visitors to the grand opening can also register for drawings later in the year for a new Chevrolet pickup and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Interstate All Battery Center – Sioux Falls
Grand Opening
2900 W. 12th St.
Sioux Falls, S.D., 57104
map
605-274-3363

Grand Opening hours:
Friday, June 18, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 19, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For the first few weeks of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, Team Interstate/Joe Gibbs Racing seemed to stay off the leaderboard. Drivers Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin, both preseason favorites to contend for the championship, suffered bad luck at inopportune times. Although they frequently led laps, they were unable to turn in top finishes. Teammate Joey Logano started his sophomore season strong, but still wasn’t considered dominant.

Then came Martinsville in late March, a race marked by the return of the spoiler to Cup series racing. And Team Interstate/JGR hasn’t looked back since.

Since that race, with a 1-2 finish by Hamlin and Logano, Team Interstate has won seven out of 10 Cup races. Hamlin followed up his Martinsville win with victories at Texas, Darlington, Pocono and Michigan, and Busch visited Victory Lane at Richmond and Dover. All told, Team Interstate/JGR has won 46% of the Sprint Cup races this season – not bad, considering the rough start.

Team Interstate is dominating the Nationwide series, too, winning six of the last nine events. Busch has five wins, and Hamlin and Logano each have one. Last weekend in Kentucky, Logano made history by becoming the first Nationwide Series driver to win three consecutive races at the same track when starting from the pole.

Interstate Batteries is a proud sponsor of Joe Gibbs Racing, and we’re not surprised at the success of our team. Kyle, Denny and Joey are three of the most talented drivers in NASCAR.

Want to celebrate the team’s success with us? Go to InterstateBatteries.com and get 20% off your entire order when you use the coupon code JUNE2010. (Discount not applicable on cell phone handset or wireless plan purchases.)

By the way, be sure to watch Kyle Busch in the green No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota on Sunday, June 27, in New Hampshire. And then catch the No. 18 Interstate All Battery Center car on Saturday, July 3, in Daytona. The summer is just starting to heat up. Go TEAM INTERSTATE!

2010 Team Interstate Sprint Cup Series statistics as of Race #15- 6/13:

Team Interstate overall statistics as of race #15:

The Johnson Controls plant in St. Joseph, Mo., which manufactures some of our batteries, celebrated its 10th anniversary last week. The No. 18 Interstate Batteries show car was there, along with our bounce house, and plant employees are still talking about it! Many are especially singing the praises of Travis, who travels with the show car and is a real fountain of knowledge. Thank you, Travis!

Interstate Batteries recently hosted multiple land-speed record holder Laura Klock and husband Brian Klock, an internationally known custom bike builder. Together, they own Klock Werks Kustom Cycles, one of the top five custom builders in the world, and are holders of patents for several motorcycle components. Each Klock Werks motorcycle carries an Outrageously Dependable Interstate Battery.

In addition to the success the Klocks have enjoyed as custom builders, Laura has also won several racing honors as a part of the Klock Werks racing team. In 2006, Laura set the national land-speed record on a bike that Klock Werks built for the Discovery Channel Biker Build-Off. She has returned to improve her record each year, making her a five-time land speed world record holder. Laura’s two teenage daughters, Erika and Karlee, inherited her love for racing, and have each set land-speed records of their own. In 2008, Laura and her daughters became the first mother-daughter-daughter trio in the history of land-speed racing to hold records at the same time.

Laura also speaks to other women and riders across the United States as part of the “Any Road” tour, telling the inspiring story of how strong faith has helped her overcome hardship in her life. Laura, who has dealt with issues such as alcoholism and her parents’ divorce, says that her ability to ride motorcycles is a gift from God, given to her as an escape to help cope with the trials she faces, and as a tool to help parent her teenage girls. Laura hopes her story will encourage women to embrace any path that God puts before them.

Laura was in Dallas to film an interview which will appear on the I Am Second website and a video for Hope for the Heart, a national women’s crisis organization that Interstate sponsors. After their visit to Interstate, Laura and Brian agreed to be “celebrities” on the 2011 Hope for the Heart/Glory Ride across America.

To learn more about Klock Werks and the family’s outrageous success in setting land speed records, visit kustomcycles.com and IAmSecond.com, where Laura’s interview will be appearing soon.