Aaron's to celebrate 'Bama with Cup race program

ATLANTA -- Aaron's Inc. is already a winner when it comes to this year's BCS national championship football game between the University of Alabama and the University of Texas. As a corporate sponsor of both universities' athletic programs, Aaron's was guaranteed a victory no matter which team won Thursday night's game.

Alabama defeated Texas, 37-21, and will create a celebratory race program for the winning school that incorporates Aaron's Sprint Cup Series race team.

Aaron's plans to produce a special national championship paint scheme that will be featured on its Cup Series race car driven by Michael Waltrip Racing's David Reutimann. The car will feature Alabama's famed crimson along with the championship logo in the Aaron's 499 race on April 25 at Talladega Superspeedway.

"Aaron's is in a unique position to be able to commemorate the achievements of this year's national football champion with our race car program," said Robin Loudermilk, CEO of Aaron's Inc. "We look forward to unveiling this race car during a celebration on campus just before it goes to the race track to compete. We can't think of a better way to honor the winning team's achievements."

If the University of Texas had won, the car would have sported the UT burnt orange and official national championship logo on April 18 at Texas Motor Speedway.

"This paint scheme is going to be a huge hit with fans, and it's a privilege for me to be able to drive this car," Reutimann said. "But the pressure is going to be on me to win. Aaron's is in a 'no-lose' situation with these two great football teams, so I am going to have to get this car to Victory Lane to keep the winning going."

The race car program will be supported with a traveling showcar that will make appearances at Aaron's stores throughout Alabama weeks before and after the race.

Aaron's also is making available a limited edition line of collectable merchandise that will include a 1/24-scale die cast replica of the race car and a racing T-shirt. The merchandise will be available at Aaron's stores in Alabama, the university's bookstore, the MWR trackside merchandise trailer and at www.shopaarons.com.