Bud Pole winners to receive Tissot watches

Winning the Budweiser Pole Award at a NASCAR Nextel Cup event is based upon a very simple theory: complete a lap in less time than any other driver.

To emphasize the essence of time, Anheuser-Busch will award a Tissot PRS 516 Valjoux NASCAR limited-edition watch to each driver who wins a Bud Pole Award in 2006. This unique timepiece is limited to 500 pieces worldwide. The watch features a Valjoux chronograph movement, stainless steel case, carbon dial, black leather strap and an engraved NASCAR logo on the open case back. (Image attached below.)

Bud Pole Award winners will continue to receive a $5,200 bonus from Anheuser-Busch and secure a spot in the season-opening 2007 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. The driver who wins the most Bud Pole Awards during the 2006 season will also receive a check for $100,000 from Anheuser-Busch at the season-ending Nextel Cup banquet in New York.

"We are proud to partner with Anheuser-Busch to support the Bud Pole Award, recognizing and rewarding top drivers in a meaningful setting," said Olivier Cosandier, Brand Manager for Tissot U.S. "The PRS 516 Valjoux NASCAR Limited Edition is the prototypical watch for successful drivers, as it shares similar characteristics of precision and performance."

The watch is one of three special-edition Tissot NASCAR watches being released worldwide. The timepieces range from $295 to $1,150 retail. The Swiss watch company, with more than 150 years of watch-making expertise, is the official timekeeper and watch for NASCAR and the MotoGP World Championship. Ambassadors for the brand include Indy Racing League driver Danica Patrick and MotoGP star Nicky Hayden.

Budweiser is the official beer of NASCAR, and has sponsored 38 national or world championship teams in many different forms of racing, including NASCAR, Indy car, Formula One, offshore powerboat, off-road and NHRA drag racing. Anheuser-Busch is celebrating its 25th anniversary of support for the NASCAR Busch Series in 2006. Budweiser currently sponsors the NHRA Top Fuel dragster driven by Brandon Bernstein and the Williams Formula One race team in addition to the Dale Earnhardt Inc. No. 8 Nextel Cup team with driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.