TWITTER HANDLES TO REPLACE DRIVER NAMES ON WINDSHIELDS DURING CHASE

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2016) -- NASCAR drivers competing in the 2016 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ will display their personal Twitter handles on their respective car windshields during the first three-race round of #TheChase, NASCAR and Twitter announced today.

Beginning with Sunday's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400 at Chicagoland Speedway (2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), Twitter handles including @KyleBusch, @keselowski and @austindillon3 will adorn the windshield headers normally reserved for driver last names.  

The activation is part of an aggressive push by NASCAR to use Twitter, Vine and Periscope to elevate The Chase experience for fans during the sport's most social postseason ever. Earlier today, @NASCAR unveiled a new, racing-themed Twitter emoji, which will help bring #TheChase tweets to life throughout the 10-week postseason.

"Twitter brings the passion and excitement of NASCAR to millions of our fans every single day in very unique and innovative ways,” said NASCAR Managing Director, Social Media, Scott Warfield. “As we embark on The Chase, the platform is helping us make the overall social experience that much richer and more memorable for our fans and followers."

Beginning this weekend, @NASCAR will curate Twitter Moments and share Vines and live video via Periscope all capturing the spirit, excitement and behind-the-scenes action of this year's Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

The first Chase race will also feature the Twitter bird logo, @NASCAR and #TheChase displayed as giant stencils in the infield atChicagoland Speedway.

"NASCAR truly embraces Twitter as a bridge between fans and the drivers they love," said Andrew Barge, Sports Partnerships, Twitter. "During this year's Chase, with Twitter handles on windshields and hashtags on the infield grass, NASCAR demonstrates just how much it genuinely values and encourages that fan engagement."

After each round of #TheChase, NASCAR will tweet action-packed digital films that feature NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers reenacting the on-track highlights and storylines. Part of the sport's Ready. Set. Chase marketing campaign, the first video in the five-part series can be viewed on NASCAR.com/TheChase.

Twitter handles displayed on Chase driver cars for the Round of 16 include the following:

Chase Driver               Car                                 Twitter
Kyle Busch                  No. 18 Toyota Camry     @KyleBusch
Brad Keselowski         No. 2 Ford Fusion         @keselowski
Denny Hamlin              No. 11 Toyota Camry    @dennyhamlin
Kevin Harvick              No. 4 Chevrolet SS       @KevinHarvick
Carl Edwards               No. 19 Toyota Camry    #CarlEdwards
Martin Truex Jr.           No. 78 Toyota Camry    @MartinTruex_Jr
Matt Kenseth               No. 20 Toyota Camry    @mattkenseth
Jimmie Johnson          No. 48 Chevrolet SS     @JimmieJohnson      
Joey Logano                No. 22 Ford Fusion       @joeylogano
Kyle Larson                 No. 42 Chevrolet SS     @KyleLarsonRacin
Tony Stewart               No. 14 Chevrolet SS     @TonyStewart
Kurt Busch                  No. 41 Chevrolet SS     @KurtBusch
Chris Buescher           No. 34 Ford Fusion       @Chris_Buescher
Chase Elliott               No. 24 Chevrolet SS      @chaseelliott
Austin Dillon               No. 3 Chevrolet SS       @austindillon3
Jamie McMurray         No. 1 Chevrolet SS        @jamiemcmurray

The best and fastest way to join the NASCAR conversation and connect directly with the teams, drivers and fans during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is to Tweet with, and search for, #TheChase.