ncarol.com - ICONS OF ORIGINALITY: VALVOLINE™ GLOBAL OPERATIONS UNITES ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO'S JESSICA HAWKINS AND NASCAR HALL OF FAMER JEFF GORDON FOR HISTORIC DRIVER MATCHUP IN CHARLOTTE

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~ Charlotte, N.C. - In a city that has seen its fair share of groundbreaking moments in the world of racing, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team Ambassador Jessica Hawkins recently added her name to the list. 75 years after the first woman competed in NASCAR's premier division in Charlotte, Hawkins made her own mark by becoming the latest British woman to drive a NASCAR Cup Series car.

The historic moment was made possible by Valvoline™ Global, who brought together two of their biggest motorsports partners - Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team and Hendrick Motorsports - for an exclusive crossover event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Joined by four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon, Hawkins took the wheel of a special edition Valvoline Global two-seater and drove alongside Gordon around the track.

For Hawkins, who has been a professional driver for ten years, this was her first time driving a NASCAR Cup Series car. "Getting the opportunity to drive a NASCAR race car was incredible from start to finish," she said. "The car itself was so different from anything I've driven before - it's heavy and has so much power. I spent some time in the Hendrick Motorsports simulator and got some passenger laps with Jeff which really helped me prepare beforehand. The experience was a real career highlight and the memories from the day will stay with me for a long time."

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Valvoline Global sees this collaboration as an opportunity to inspire and enable those who move the world forward. "Our partnership with our world-class motorsports partners combines decades of racing excellence, more than a century of automotive expertise, and a true passion for the sport," said Rob Kenny, Valvoline Global's Chief Brand and Digital Officer. "We're leveraging that to drive opportunities across racing and across the globe - to create excitement, promote talented and diverse drivers, attract new fans, win more races, and ultimately, move the world forward. But it's also about doing something unexpected and original. Uniting two of world's most talented drivers at one of the most celebrated racetracks is symbolic of what's possible when we push boundaries and take on new challenges."

Gordon, a longtime partner of Valvoline both as a driver and now as vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, joined Hawkins on the heels of his team's win at the Bank of America Roval 400. "There is no question that Valvoline's fluid technology and expertise is helping our cars perform better, run faster, and win more races," he said. "But for me, it goes beyond that. Growing up and seeing Valvoline on my heroes' cars, then having a chance to race with Valvoline as a NASCAR driver was a dream come true. Teaming up with Valvoline today and collaborating with talented drivers like Jessica Hawkins shows how partnerships like this pave the way forward, on and off the track."

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The historic drive at Charlotte Motor Speedway not only showcased the skills of two talented drivers but also served as an opportunity to inspire current and future drivers. "Thank you to Valvoline Global for continuing to celebrate women in motorsports," Hawkins said. "Creating moments like this demonstrates to young girls everywhere that racing - in any category - is for them too." With this event, Valvoline Global hopes to encourage more diversity in racing and inspire young girls to pursue their dreams in motorsports.

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