The Good Sam Club was represented in a big way at the track. A large number of fans gathered around the Good Sam mascot, Sammy, for up close and personal snapshots with the fun-loving character. Good Sam Club CEO and Chairman, Marcus Lemonis and President, Mike Siemens, attended the race, with Lemonis acting as Grand Marshal of the race.
To make the event a complete family affair, three Good Sam Club members, who had been awarded the opportunity to be a part of the race at the 2011 Rally at Redmond, were there to fulfill their duties. As promised, Good Sam member Donna Shelton was the Honorary Starter at Sunday’s race, and members James and Brenda Laird cruised the track in the Grand Marshall parade lap.
Good Sam Club CEO and Chairman, Marcus Lemonis kicked off the race with a patriotic start as he asked all proud Americans in the stands to show their support for their country by rising from their seats. Immediately following, Lemonis announced the famous words of racing, “Gentlemen! Start…Your…Engines!”
Lemonis kept the crowds on their feet as he announced two very generous offers in support of the Good Sam Club. In an effort to share the experience of being a Good Sam Club member, 500 free memberships were awarded on a first come, first serve basis to any and all who desired to become a member of the largest RVers’ community. The enthusiasm continued to rise as Lemonis announced that he was giving away a travel trailer to one lucky fan who attended the race!
Excitement continued to reign through the crowd throughout the race as drivers, such as Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, and many more, competed for the win. Top speeds were maxed out for the next few hours of racing, only slowing intermittently for the unexpected wrecks which seemed to occur all too often on the fast and fierce track on Sunday. After stiff competition over the course of the race, it was Clint Bowyer who came out ahead to claim the victory for the Good Sam 500 race.