DENVER, NC (9/14/2005) - Car builder and team manager, Bob East, best known for his Beast chassis, will be one of an elite panel of judges who will decide the winner of The All-American Driver Challenge. In 1971, East began his career as a driver in West Coast sprint car racing, winning events in both CRA and USAC. In 1988, he opened B. East Enterprises and began making his famous Beast chassis. In addition to the National USAC Midget Championships of the Nine Racing team, his Beast chassis have won every Silver Crown National Championship since 1991.

"I'm honored to have been asked to judge this competition," said East. "The All-American Driver Challenge is a great idea and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. I can't wait to see the talent that comes out and enters."

The All-American Driver Challenge is a driver search that was developed to find the best young racing talent and provide them with a unique opportunity to begin a racing career, starting with a fully funded ride in the 2006 USAC Carolina Focus Midget Series. Open qualifying for "The All-American Driver Challenge" began July 1st and will run until December 15th at sanctioned go-karting tracks across the country.

Anyone between the ages of 15-26 with a love for racing and a desire to become a professional racecar driver is invited to enter the Challenge. To enter, Challengers should go online to www.allamericandriver.com to register, then head to their nearest affiliate go-kart track to run their qualifying laps. "It's anybody's shot" to become the next American racing hero.

The top ten Challengers from each region will go to the semi-final round in Charlotte where drivers will be selected based on their racing performance and personal attributes and will have a chance to follow in the footsteps of some of today's greatest racecar drivers. "It's anybody's shot, and we're excited about giving a young person a real chance at becoming a pro race car driver", says Tracy Trotter, owner of a racing performance company, Calico Coatings, and presenting sponsor of the Challenge.

The All-American Driver Challenge is a driver development and search program that was developed to foster the best up-and-coming young race talent for a future career in a professional American racing series, starting with a one-year contract to drive in USAC. "It's anybody's shot," means that all young aspiring drivers are welcome to compete. Challenge winners will be developed through a predetermined schedule of racing series'. The All-American Driver Challenge is presented by Calico Coatings and other participating sponsors. For more information on The All-American Driver Challenge, please visit www.allamericandriver.com or call 1.800.861.6491.