Decent sweepstakes. Only a few days, but there's a little money involved. Here's the details:

Grand Prize winner will receive a trip for two to the Monster Energy Cup and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, including roundtrip coach air transportation to Las Vegas, NV, 3 day/2 nights hotel accommodations at Sponsor-specified hotel, two VIP event tickets to the Monster Energy Cup and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 15, 2011, VIP honorary pit crew member of Ricky Carmichael's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race team at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway including two autographed Monster Energy crew shirts, Meet and greet with Ricky Carmichael, the chance to attend driver's meeting, Pit and garage passes, Pit, garage and transporter tour, photo with Ricky Carmichael at the truck on the starting grid, and the ability to watch the race from pit road and spend time on top of the team's "Pit Box" during the race, $200 spending cash for ground transportation and miscellaneous costs, a tour of the SPEED television broadcast booth at Sam Boyd Stadium, a track walk at Sam Boyd Stadium, one autographed Monster Energy rider jersey, Monster Energy promotional goods and twelve cases of Monster Energy drinks delivered to the winners home.

The contest runs until October 3, 2011, and you can enter it by clicking HERE.

This sounds like something I need to pick up soon. I've been thinking seriously about a getting a Kindle, and this might be my first purchase. Or third. It'll be in there somewhere. Here's the details:

“Defense wins championships!” So declared a triumphant Michael Jordan in 1991, invoking a hallowed sports mantra. But Jordan’s assertion melts into cliché when Moskowitz and Wertheim expose it to statistical calculations revealing that, regardless of the sport, offense proves just as decisive as defense. Indeed, in their wide-ranging iconoclasm, the authors repeatedly poke arithmetic holes in what everyone in sports supposedly knows. Typical is their number-crunching assault on the popular explanation of home-field advantage as a consequence of visiting teams’ road fatigue.

Home teams win, the authors demonstrate, chiefly because referees tend to see plays their way—especially when the crowd of spectators grows large. Parsing of data illuminates off-field behavior, too, explaining which athletes use steroids and which ones use marijuana. Even the curse hanging over the Chicago Cubs comes into focus then the analysts ignore the billy-goat myth and statistically assess a management style fostered by fans perversely loyal to “lovable losers”! Sports buffs eager to win their next barroom argument will be lining up for this book. –Bryce Christensen, Booklist.Com

You can grab one over at Amazon here: Scorecasting: The Hidden Influences Behind How Sports Are Played and Games Are Won

The Grand Prize is:

    *  2011 Ford Taurus SHO valued at up to $40,000
    * Roundtrip airfare for (2) to Las Vegas
    * Two (2) nights accommodations at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
    * Two (2) premier seats at NASCAR After The Lap
    * Opportunity to make a special presentation to the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion
    * $500 cash
    * An officially-licensed NASCAR gift basket

The contest runs until November 21, 2010, and you can enter it HERE.

1800® Tequila Becomes First Spirits Brand to Sponsor

the Los Angeles Lakers

As an Official Sponsor of the 2009 NBA Championship Team

New York, NY – Proximo Spirits, Inc. and 1800® Tequila announced today a groundbreaking partnership with legendary NBA team the Los Angeles Lakers, winner of the 2009 NBA Championship, marking 15 NBA Titles in total. Part of a multi-million dollar investment deal including TV advertising and on and off-premise logo rights, the LA Lakers will align with 1800 Silver Tequila, the fastest growing super-premium tequila on the market.

This is the first time that a spirits company has signed an exclusive tequila deal with the NBA Champion Lakers. Based in Los Angeles, CA, the Lakers play their home games at the Staples Center.  Holding records for the most wins, the LA Lakers have the longest consecutive winning streak, the highest winning percentage, the most NBA Finals appearances and the second-most NBA championships. 1800 Tequila is thrilled to make their foray into the professional sports arena with the support of such a celebrated team.

“In creating a partnership for our Super-Premium Tequila with a legendary sports franchise, the LA Lakers were a perfect choice for us,” said Elwyn Gladstone, VP of Marketing for Proximo. “Just as the LA Lakers represent the pinnacle of their sport in terms of dynamism and brand recognition, 1800 Silver Tequila represents the most exciting name in Tequila.”

As part of the deal, 1800 Tequila will produce extensive advertising and promotions featuring the LA Lakers logo.  All messaging will be connected with a responsible drinking statement.  The partnership is part of a multi-million dollar advertising and promotional campaign for the brand, including a new ad campaign (OOH, TV, On-Line, Print), national sampling campaign and multiple sponsorships.

“Our goal is to ensure that Lakers games are the most enjoyable and exciting games to watch” said Los Angeles Lakers Chief Marketing Officer Tim Harris. “Through this groundbreaking partnership, 1800 will provide Lakers fans with the familiar flavor of the super-premium spirit and a variety of beverage choices to enjoy while celebrating courtside, while ensuring that we communicate responsible drinking.”

1800 Silver is the real deal – 100% Agave and the brand that started it the Luxury Tequila Revolution.  It is THE perfect shot. It’s double-distilled for crystal clarity and mellowed in wooden barrels for an exceptionally smooth taste.

GRAND PRIZE: There is one Grand Prize available to be won, consisting of a trip for two people to the 2010 NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas on June 23, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Grand Prize includes round-trip economy airfare for two people departing on June 22, 2010 to Las Vegas Nevada, two nights’ accommodation in a moderate hotel as selected by the Sponsor; two tickets to the 2010 NHL Awards Show (seating locations as determined by the Sponsors in their sole discretion) and two tickets to an official 2010 NHL Awards after party.

The after party could be pretty cool. The contest runs until May 10, 2010 and you can enter it HERE.

One Grand Prize Winner will receive a trip for four to attend one game of the 2009 MLB World Series championship or $7,500 cash. The trip includes: round trip coach class air transportation to the World Series Game; hotel accommodations for two nights; four tickets to one 2009 World Series championship game; and $1,000.00 for meals.

The contest runs through August 16, 2009, and you can enter it HERE.

Grand Prize: A three-day/two-night trip for winner and one guest to attend the 2009 MLB® All-Star Game® to be played at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, consisting of round-trip coach air transportation, standard double-occupancy hotel accommodations, and ground transportation to/from the airport and the applicable hotel, and two tickets to the game.

The contest runs though July 3rd, 2009, and you can enter it HERE.

This contest is only for tickets to the game. You have to provide your own transportation, which isn't all that great unless you don't mind coughing up the cash for a flight, or live close enough to road trip.

Scottrade is giving away a trip to the MLB 2009 All Star Game in July. Here's the details:

The Grand Prize is two tickets to the 2009 MLB All-Star Game exhibition, scheduled to take place on July 14, 2009 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO.

The contest runs through July 5th, 2009, and you can enter it HERE.

The Grand Prize is a four day three night trip for you and a guest to Las Vegas. The trip includes: a three night hotel stay; tickets to an MMA fight in Las Vegas where you'll watch the fight with Gina Carano; a pre-fight dinner for you and a guest; two tickets to a show; a pre-show dinner for you and your guest; a helicopter tour for you and your guest; test drive a G8 in las Vegas; and $2,000 spending money.

You can enter the giveaway HERE.

The Grand Prize is a four day/three night trip for winner and up to three guests to the 2009 MLB® All-Star Game® to be played at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missour. Grand Prize includes round-trip coach air transportation, standard quad-occupancy hotel accommodations and up to 4 tickets to each of the following: 2009 DHL All-Star FanFest® event, 2009 State Farm Home Run Derby® event, Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game, MLB® Legends Game, XM Futures Game, MLB® Red Carpet Parade and the 2009 MLB® All-Star Game® exhibition.

 The contest runs through June 14, 2009, and you can enter it HERE.