LENEXA, Kan. — ASE Certified Mechanic Jim Whippie’s initial response when he was told he had won $10,000 in the Professionals’ Choice Auto Parts Scratch & Win Promotion was “Yeah, right!” He said he just couldn’t believe it because he has been participating in promotions for decades and has never won anything. Once he had the check in his hands, though, the reality set in. “It comes at a much needed time for me,” said Whippie. “The timing couldn’t have been better.”
Whippie received the winning scratch ticket from SMP Automotive Product’s Store Manager, Doug Podgomy. Podgomy has been with SMP for nearly 40 years and has been doing business with Whippie’s employer, Scott’s U-Save Tires, for nearly 20. Scott’s U-Save is owned and operated by Sheri Templin. The family owned and operated business has been serving the south Chicago suburbs for the past 29 years, specializing in the sale of tires and wheels as well as a full service automotive department.
Larry Schulz, owner of SMP Automotive Products Inc., located in Chicago Heights, Ill., participates in all of the Automotive Parts Associates (APA) promotions and has had a good history of winners coming from his customer base.
APA’s WD shareholders conducted the Scratch & Win Sweepstakes at more than 250 locations across the United States and Canada from October through December 2009. Each time a product was purchased from one of the sponsoring manufacturers, the installer received a scratch ticket. Thousands of dollars in instant winning gift cards were distributed, and several thousand completed scratch cards were returned for the $10,000 drawing.
"We would very much like to thank our sponsors who made this sweepstakes possible,” said Dan Freeman, president and CEO of Automotive Parts Associates Inc.
Sponsors of this sweepstakes were Airtex Fuel Systems, ASC Water Pumps, Beck Arnley, Bendix, Bosch, Cardone, Denso, Dorman, Exide Battery, Moog Chassis, Wagner Brake, Autolite, FRAM, Prestone, Four Seasons, KYB Shocks & Struts, Loctite, Mann Filter, Permatex, Remy Rotating Electrical and Standard Engine Management.