Rise Up and Register

Blake Koch is bringing "Rise Up and Register"
to 2012 NASCAR Nationwide campaign

THOMASVILLE, NC (2-20-12) – Returning for his second full season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with a new team and a new look, Florida native Blake Koch is proud to announce his partnership with The Rise Up and Register Campaign. Koch will proudly pilot the Rick Ware Racing #41 Rise up and Register Chevrolet Impala and Ford Mustang for the NASCAR Nationwide Tour. As part of the partnership, Koch will reach out to the NASCAR fans, educating them on the importance of being registered to vote in the coming elections.

"I am excited to be working with Rise up and Register for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide season," said Koch. "This is a great organization dedicated to educating race fans about the importance of getting out and voting," said Koch.

Rise Up and Register is a national campaign with a goal of registering over one million new voters this year. Rise Up and Register firmly believes that increased electoral participation will yield tremendous benefits to our nation at a time when our problems seem to mount daily. During this race season, Rise Up and Register will work to add voices and encourage all Americans to Rise Up for their country. Koch will be one of those voices as he brings this powerful campaign to one of the Nation's largest audiences – NASCAR.

"Back in 2008 I didn’t vote and I feel bad for that," said Koch. "Now, as a husband and a soon to be father, I realize the importance of taking part in our political process. I'm honored to be part of this great outreach to get everyone registered and voting for our next election and every election in the future."

In addition to serving as the primary sponsor for Koch during the 2012 season, Rise Up and Register will also conduct a national advertising campaign during the races, and host outreach events across the country, all designed to encourage people to register to vote and to get their friends to register to vote. As part of the campaign, Rise Up and Register will give one lucky fan a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro painted to match Koch's 2012 Rise Up and Register NASCAR.

Fans can sign up to join this campaign and register to win this car by texting “USA” to 41600.” To learn more about this campaign and to view a copy of the contest rules, please visit the organization’s website at www.riseupandregister.com.

Blake Koch has created a major fan base in both the NASCAR community and the faith based market over the past three years. Back in 2009 he made his NASCAR debut when he was recruited by a Richard Childress Racing Driver Development team to become their primary driver in the NASCAR Camping World West Series. In his Rookie season Blake placed an impressive 8th in the season ending point standings and became one of the few teams to bring a faith based primary sponsorship to the NASCAR Community.

Last season, Koch went fulltime into the NASCAR Nationwide Series where he earned five top 25 finishes in just his first 10 races and joined an elite group of drivers who have achieved that goal, including: Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Throughout the year Koch competed with fellow driver Timmy Hill for the coveted Rookie of the Year title, a title which Hill won by a single point after a season long battle that drew as much attention as the series championship.

This year, Koch has joined forces with Hill as his teammate after being signed by Rick Ware Racing. “After last year we figured it was better if Blake raced for us instead of against us,” said Ware. “Blake is a very special young man with a very bright future, both on the track and off the track.” Based in Thomasville, North Carolina, Rick Ware Racing is known as the "Biggest Little Team in Motorsports." With Hill as his teammate and carrying the message of Rise up and Register, Koch is looking for a powerful campaign in the NASCAR Nationwide Series which opens up at Daytona International Speedway on February 17.

"I am truly blessed to be a part of Rick Ware Racing," said Koch." I am really looking forward to the upcoming year with RWR and excited to be teammates with Timmy Hill."

Join with Blake Koch and Rise Up and Register today by texting "USA" to 41600.

To learn more about Blake Koch visit www.blakekoch.com. For further information on Rick Ware Racing visit www.wareracing.net. For additional information on the Rise Up and Register campaign visit www.riseupandregister.com. For additional information on the NASCAR Nationwide Series visit www.NASCAR.com.

By Bill Sullivan, Blake Koch Inc.