DENVER, NC (2/13/2007) - After three days of exciting competition, the Top 10 Challengers were chosen to advance to the final round of the All-American Driver Challenge (AADC) in Hickory, NC on March 2-4th for a shot at the big prize…a full-paid contract to drive in the Calico Coatings USAC Ford Focus Midget for the 2007 season.

From Friday, February 2nd through Sunday, Feb. 4th, more than 60 of America's most ambitious young racers from all points on the compass brought their helmets and their dreams to Andretti Indoor Karting & Games in Atlanta to compete in the semifinals of the AADC. The young guns battled in both road course and oval track races and were also interviewed individually by a panel of judges which included NASCAR Busch Series Driver, John Andretti: sports journalist, Bones Bourcier; sports announcer and host, Rick Benjamin; AADC owner/promoter, Tracy Trotter and AADC crew chief, Gary Huffman who grilled the Challengers on their goals, driving styles and media awareness.

"Anyone who comes through this is going to have a chance at stardom," said Andretti. "And getting to drive a well-prepared, well-funded championship car, you can't ask for anything better."

The results of these areas of competition were used to narrow the field down to 10 challengers who were invited to advance to the finals where they will spend three days testing behind the wheel of the AADC midget at Hickory Motor Speedway where the judges, including the addition of famed open wheel chassis builder, Bob East, will determine the next All-American Driver.

The finalists in order of appearance in attached photo are as follows: From l-r in front row: Jeremy Frankoski from Newark Valley, NY; Rowdy Sneed from Bakersfield, CA; Justin Larson from Safety Harbor, FL; Christopher Slinden from Cokato, MN; Tanner Swanson from Kingsburg, CA; Troy DeCaire from Tampa, FL; Stephen McCurley from Silsbee, TX; Brandon Huff from East Palensitne, OH; Tyler Church from Hickory, NC and Jacob Johnson from Scottsdale, AZ.

Open qualifying for the AADC ran from June 1-October 31st at go karting facilities around the country. Challengers were asked to submit their top 100 laps with the top three Challengers from each facility advancing to the semifinal round.

In addition to a driving contract, the winner of the AADC will also receive a three-day racing school at the American Racing Academy in Las Vegas courtesy of www.racingschools.com, the world's largest single source of auto racing school information. Simpson Performance Products, well-known manufacturer of safety apparel and equipment to the motorsports community, will be providing the AADC winner with a complete driver uniform including embroidered racing suit, helmet, gloves and shoes.

The All-American Driver Challenge is a driver search and competition that is geared toward fostering the best up-and-coming talent for a future career in a professional American racing series. AADC winners will be developed for the opportunity to advance to higher levels of racing including the USAC™ National Midget, Silver Crown™, Sprint and NASCAR® Late Model Weekly Racing Series. All aspiring racecar drivers between the ages of 15 and 23 were invited to enter the AADC and earn their way to becoming the next American racing hero. The All-American Driver Challenge is presented by Calico Coatings and sponsored by American Racing Academy, Racingschools.com, Unique Pizza and Subs, Simpson Race Products, The Joie of Seating, Mechanix Wear, Under X, K&N Filters and endorsed by USAC. For more information on The All-American Driver Challenge, please visit www.allamericandriver.com or call 1.800.861.6491.