Retired Military Man and Lifetime Automotive Enthusiast Wins the Cherry Bomb® Charger R/T Hemi Sweepstakes

Loudon, TN (November 20, 2008)… Cherry Bomb is pleased to announce that Kevin Dietze of Harker Heights, TX is the lucky winner of the official Cherry Bomb R/T Hemi project car commemorating Cherry Bomb’s 40th anniversary. Kevin has been invited to PowerBlock TV for a taping of his official receipt of the car for a segment that will air on national television February 14 and 15, 2009. Courtney Hanson of Spike TV’s PowerBlock will present the car and Paul Banks, owner of Cherry Bomb, will personally hand over the keys to Kevin. “It’s almost not even a reality yet,” said Dietze, “It’s just now starting to sink in.  I must say though, that I am deeply humbled by this honor, and both my family and I are just overwhelmed.”

“Out of 300,000 entrants, we are so pleased that Kevin happened to be the winner, because his story is just so great,” said Banks.  “Kevin got bit by the automotive bug as a young boy helping his dad work on old cars.  His father, in fact, served 20 years in the military as an auto maintenance tech, and long before Kevin joined the army to become a helicopter test pilot, he and his wife Roseanne discussed a dream of starting a family-owned automotive business focused on Hot Rods.  Upon retirement in 2005, the dream became reality. Today, he and his son Michael own and operate Sunshine Performance in Killeen, TX where they specialize in performance upgrades and modifications. Roseanne is a 1st Grade school teacher by day, and Book Keeper and Task Master for Sunshine by night, weekends, and over the summer vacations.”

Dietze added, “For 26 wonderful years of marriage and the two very dear children she gave me (Michael and Kimberly), the support throughout my Army career and all of my crazy car projects, I'll be giving the car to my best friend and lovely bride Roseanne.”

“The Charger was our very first project car for the re-launch of Cherry Bomb,” Banks continued, “and we are excited that not only a true “car guy” won it, but are honored to pass it on to someone who dedicated his first career to protecting the freedom of all Americans by serving two decades of his life in the military.  We wish him and his family every success in this second career with Sunshine Performance.”

Built as a joint collaboration between Cherry Bomb, MOPAR® and Hot Rod® magazine, this distinctive car features a custom Cherry Bomb exhaust, SRT Body Kit with a Brian Klock designed paint scheme, Foose Wheels, SSBC brakes, and multiple MOPAR Performance upgrades.

“I’m an avid fan of Powerblock, and that’s where I heard about the contest,” continued Dietze.  “Everyone in the family is just so excited about me winning such a cool car, we might all make the trek to Powerblock for the taping, and then fight over who gets to drive it first!  What a blessing that we get to work together in an industry where we love what we do, and that there’s a market for it, too.  We are so thankful to Cherry Bomb, not only for the car, but for helping make the automotive aftermarket what it is today.”

Cherry Bomb began manufacturing the Cherry Bomb Glasspack in 1968. With less backpressure, the muffler increased horsepower and produced an unmistakable sound that embodied the power under the hood. Forty years later, Cherry Bomb manufactures a full line of high performance mufflers, in addition to a large number of cat back systems, accessories, and custom kits, all of which create fuel savings due to improved engine efficiency. Cherry Bomb is located at 2400 Maremont Blvd., Loudon, TN. For product information visit www.cherrybomb.com.

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