The Product Technicians competing in this year's final represent the best of the best in the Aaron's system. In order to make a dream come true it has to be delivered. I couldn't be more proud of our co-workers that make it happen every day.
Ken Butler, President, Aaron's

photo RTOonline

Reigning PT Rodeo champ Joshua Edwards in Victory Lane at Talladega Superspeedway. See 544 photos from the 2007 Dream Weekend.

The 2008 Aaron's (NYSE:RNT) PT Rodeo Finals will be one of the highlights of the upcoming Aaron's Dream Weekend April 25-27 at Talladega Superspeedway. Aaron's Training Department hosts the PT Rodeo to demonstrate and reward the vital role that product technicians play within the company.

RTO Online will provide end to end coverage of the 2008 Dream Weekend publishing articles, interviews, photo galleries and video from Talladega. Check www.RTOonline.com for updates. See 544 photos from the 2007 Dream Weekend.

Thousands of Aaron's employees compete at various locations around the country in the months leading up to the Dream Weekend finals. Competitions include loading and unloading a truck, driving quickly and accurately through an obstacle course and completing a written exam on Aaron's product, service and repair knowledge.

In the rental and leasing business, everything hinges on the delivery. The ability to prep and deliver a broad range of products from upholstered furniture to flat screen TVs quickly, safely and damage free, requires a special talent. Aaron's President Ken Butler said in an interview (listen) at the recent Aarons National Managers Meeting "Winners overcome obstacles." Butler takes great pride in the men and women responsible for delivering the dream. "The Product Technicians competing in this year's final represent the best of the best in the Aaron's system," Butler said. "In order to make a dream come true it has to be delivered. I couldn't be more proud of our co-workers that make it happen every day."

Twenty PT Rodeo finalists will travel to Talladega to compete at real-world tasks including hooking up a surround sound speaker system to an LCD TV, a full computer restore, repairing wood furniture and preparing an order for delivery.

Joshua Edwards took the grand prize in the 2007 PT Rodeo (see story - photos). Edwards came out on top of a company-wide field of over 3,000 Product Techs.

photo RTOonline

Tristan Montanero, Aaron's Vice President of Central Operations.

Tristan Montanero, Aaron's Vice President of Central Operations told RTO Online in 2007 that he believes the Product Tech is the hardest and perhaps the most important job in the company. "Our PTs are the last person the customer sees," said Montanero. "The customer is going to remember the delivery and how it was handled more than the transaction in the store. I cant think of a better group to honor than our PTs. The PT Rodeo is a showcase of Aaron's dream employees."

As reigning champ, Edwards will attend the 2008 rodeo, but will not compete.

The main events at Talladega will be the Aaron's 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series on Saturday and the Aaron's 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch and David Reutimann are among 12 drivers that will pull double duty, competing in both the Aaron's 312 and the Aaron's 499.

Earnhardt Jr., who has six career wins at Talladega, will make his fifth NASCAR Nationwide Series start of the season behind the wheel of the No. 5 Delphi Chevrolet for JR Motorsports.

"Having many of the top NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers compete in next Saturday's Aaron's 312 provides extra incentive to our race fans to join us for both races during the Aaron's Dream Weekend," said Track President Rick Humphrey.

American Idol champ Taylor Hicks will sing the National Anthem prior to the Aaron's 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday. The 31-year-old Hicks captured more than 63 million votes to win the fifth season of American Idol.

photo RTOonline

FINISH LINE - Lisa Alford, part of Aaron’s Corporate Sports Marketing team, on the finish line just before the start of the 2007 Aaron’s Talladega 499. Editors Note: During last year's three day shoot in Talladega, Lisa made sure we got where we needed to go - on time every time. She kept us fed, watered and sunstroke free. Thanks Lisa!

The 23rd Annual Race Fever Night, a barbecue dinner and auction fundraiser for Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, will be held Friday evening, April 25th at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame - adjacent to the track. Hicks, is supporting the event by donating a harmonica he autographed during the 2008 Alabama Music Hall of Fame Induction Banquet and Award Show where he received the 2008 America's Music Award. A Golden Fiddle autographed by Charlie Daniels sold for $11,000 at the 2007 event. Race Fever began in 1986, when the late Bill France, Jr., former NASCAR Chairman, organized the first event to benefit children and adults served by AIDB. Race Fever has grown steadily to raise well in excess of $2.5 million for AIDB Foundation, the designated charity of Talladega Superspeedway.

Toby Lightman will perform prior to the Aaron's 499. Lightman sings the new musical opening on all NASCAR on FOX network television broadcasts, "NASCAR Love (Let's Go Racing)". "Toby has really made a splash on the NASCAR scene this year," said Rick Humphrey. "While most fans will recognize her voice from the FOX broadcasts, I believe they will all be impressed with what a great musical talent she is."

2008 AARON'S DREAM WEEKEND EVENT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, APRIL 25
- Grandstands Open At 11:30 a.m./Day Parking Lots Open At 7 a.m.

6:00 a.m. NSCS Garage & Registration Opens
7:00 a.m. NNS Garage & Registration Opens
1:00 p.m. NSCS ** Hot Pass in Effect **
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. NSCS Practice
2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. FOX Exhibition Run
3:05 p.m. to 3:55 p.m. NSCS Final Practice
4:05 p.m. NNS The Birmingham News Qualifying (Two Laps – All Positions) Impound
7:00 p.m. NSCS Garage Closes
7:00 p.m. NNS Garage & Registration Closes

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 AARON'S 312 NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES
- Grandstands Open At 8 a.m./Day Parking Lots Open At 5 a.m.

5:30 a.m. NSCS Garage & Registration Opens
8:00 a.m. NNS Garage Opens
9:45 a.m. NSCS ** Hot Pass in Effect **
10:15 a.m. NSCS The Birmingham News Qualifying (Two Laps – All Positions) Impound
1:30 p.m. NNS Driver Introduction-Security Clears Pit Road
2:00 p.m. NNS Aaron's 312 (117 Laps)
2:00 p.m. NSCS Garage & Registration Closes

SUNDAY, APRIL 27 AARON'S 499 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
- Grandstands Open At 9 a.m./Day Parking Lots Open At 5 a.m.

8:00 a.m. NSCS Garage & Registration Opens
12:00 p.m. NSCS ** Hot Pass In Effect ** UNTIL ONE HOUR AFTER RACE

12:30 p.m. NSCS Driver Introduction-Security Clears Pit Road
1:00 p.m. NSCS Aaron's 499 (188 Laps)