Nationwide "Dash For Cash" Program Returns

For the fourth consecutive year, NASCAR and Nationwide Insurance have combined to bring back the “Dash 4 Cash” bonus program for Series drivers and fans.

Introduced in 2009, the “Dash 4 Cash” rewards the highest-finishing eligible driver in four designated races with a $100,000 bonus, above and beyond the race purse. Fans also can participate via a sweepstakes that culminates with one lucky fan also winning $100,000. 

The basic format of the event is unchanged. In four select races this season, four drivers who have earned the right to compete for the $100,000 per-race bonus will “have at it.” The “Dash 4 Cash” winner does not necessarily have to win the race. He or she must simply be the highest-finishing eligible NASCAR Nationwide Series contender. 

There are two key revisions to this season’s program. First, the July 6 race at Daytona International Speedway will serve as the “qualifier,” with the top four Nationwide Series finishers earning “Dash 4 Cash” designation in the first race of the program on July 14 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  

Also, this year’s “Dash 4 Cash” races will be run in succession this year, with the July race at New Hampshire followed by the July 22 race at Chicagoland Speedway, the July 28 event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Aug. 4 race at Iowa Speedway. 

Driver eligibility will be determined as follows: 

· New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 14) – Top four drivers to receive NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) championship driver points at Daytona qualify for New Hampshire. 

· Chicagoland Speedway (July 22) – New Hampshire “Dash 4 Cash” winner plus top three finishing drivers to receive NNS championship driver points. 

· Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 28) – Chicagoland “Dash 4 Cash” winner plus top three finishing drivers to receive NNS championship driver points. 

· Iowa Speedway (Aug. 4) -- Indianapolis “Dash 4 Cash” winner plus top three finishing drivers to receive NNS championship driver points. 

If a driver is able to win the “Dash 4 Cash” bonus in each of the first three races, then win the Iowa Speedway finale, Nationwide Insurance will pay an additional $600,000 to that driver in Victory Lane. 

“We’re looking forward to partnering with Nationwide Insurance for another round of the ‘Dash 4 Cash’ program,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “Since its inception, ‘Dash 4 Cash’ has brought increased notoriety to the drivers, teams and participating tracks in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. 

“We believe the $100,000 guaranteed winner for the select ‘Dash 4 Cash’ races will continue to elevate the series. Additionally, the condensed schedule will help our fans follow the exciting storylines and finishes we anticipate with the 2012 program.” 

"Offering a $1 million bonus opportunity for NASCAR Nationwide Series teams brings another level of intensity to the race track and more attention to our series," said Jim McCoy, director of strategic partnerships for Nationwide Insurance. "There's a very good chance a driver could get hot and take home the million dollar bonus at the conclusion of our ‘Dash 4 Cash’ series at Iowa Speedway, where Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won both races in 2011."  

The program isn’t just for the drivers. Since fans drive the sport, they are also encouraged to participate by visiting www.NASCAR.COM/dash4cash and registering for a chance to win $100,000. Four lucky fans and their guests will win an all-expense paid trip to the final “Dash 4 Cash” race at Iowa. In addition to a VIP experience, those fans will be randomly paired with the four eligible “Dash 4 Cash” drivers for the race. The fan whose driver wins the Iowa “Dash 4 Cash” award also will receive a check for $100,000.