SAN RAMON, Calif., Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chevron Products Company, a Chevron U.S.A. Inc. division, maker of the Delo^® brand of technologically advanced engine oils, lubricants and coolants, has announced the finalists for its 2018 Delo Tractor Restoration Competition. The event brings the country’s top teen tractor restoration specialists to Indianapolis, IN – during the 90th National FFA (Future Farmers of America) Convention – to compete in the only national competition of its kind.

Since 1995 the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition has rewarded the determination, mechanical skills and business savvy of high school-aged tractor restoration experts from around the country. Through the restoration of an antique tractor, participants develop skills applicable to the modern business world. The skills needed for success in the program – equipment maintenance, teamwork, project management, budgeting, planning, and marketing – help develop the participants into future leaders in the agriculture community.

“There is a clear need for programs that support this type of education and provide this experience,” said Dan Holdmeyer, Industrial and Coolants Brand Manager, Chevron Products Company. “The Tractor Restoration Competition is a place where participants develop skills applicable to a career in agriculture, diesel mechanics, or any business actually. Regardless of where their life takes our participants, the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition experience helps to prepare them for success.”

All entrants to the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition are required to submit a workbook detailing the entire tractor restoration process, from mechanical overhauls of the engine, transmission and auxiliary and ancillary systems, to the external appearance of the tractors. Judges review these workbooks and entrant videos to select competition finalists.

Over a two day period, the 12 finalists present their projects to a panel of four professional tractor restorers. Each project is then graded on the restoration process, safety precautions, results, documentation, oral presentation, and responses to the judge’s questions.

At an awards banquet held on the final evening of the competition, winners are announced. The Grand Champion will be awarded $10,000, the Reserve Champion receives $5,000, and third place takes home $3,000.

The finalists for the 2018 Delo Tractor Restoration Competition are:

• Everett Herrington, Idalou FFA, Idalou, TX: 1968 Massey-Ferguson           
• Austin Reynolds, Ira FFA, Ira, TX: 1955 Farmall Cub  
• Austin Chavez, Cuero High School, Cuero, TX: 1965 John Deere Model 4020      
• Ricky Schilling, Fayetteville ISD #278, Fayetteville, TX: 1960 John Deere 1960 JD 435
• Four Rivers Career H.S., Four Rivers Career Center Night Shift, Washington, MO: 1949 John Deere Model "A"
• Devin Haywood, Hastings FFA, Hastings, MI: 1957 Farmall 450 Diesel
• Box Elder High School, Box Elder FFA, Brigham City, UT: 1949 Farmall C
• Riley Dalrymple, Uvalde FFA, Uvalde, TX: 1925 John Deere D      
• Ryder Merta, El Campo FFA, El Campo, TX: 1949, John Deere B
• NorthWood High School, NorthWood FFA, Nappanee, IN: 1950 John Deere MT  
• Corey Verstraeten, Southwest FFA, San Antonio, TX: 1955 Oliver Super 88 L-P
• Mack Blair, Dubiski Career High School FFA, Grand Prairie, TX: 1949 John Deere A

“The Delo TRC program has been a remarkable experience for both our boys over the years. No other program offers this type of opportunity and prizes as an incentive for our sons to compete at the high school level,” said Patty Verstraeten, mother of 2017 Grand Champion Corey Verstraeten and 2014 finalist Brett Verstraeten. The skills they learned opened doors that may never have opened. In the 4 years our sons have competed in the Delo TRC, we have grown together as a family and our boys have learned professional skills beyond most high school experiences. It has truly prepared them for work life beyond high school and college.”

For more about the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition, go to: www.DeloTractorRestorationCompetition.com

Follow the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition Online
The Delo Tractor Restoration Competition can be followed on various social media channels, including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

During the finals competition on October 24 and 25, event updates and the results will be posted on the program’s Facebook page in real time. 

Chevron’s Delo Product Family:
Chevron’s Delo product family includes engine oils, premium lubricants and extended life coolants that provide premium performance and bottom-line value for diesel powered vehicles.

All Delo products are covered under the Delo Warranty Plus program, which provides bumper-to-bumper protection against lubricant and coolant related failures as described in the Delo Warranty.

More information on Delo products can be found at: www.ChevronDelo.com

About Chevron Products Company
Chevron Products Company is a division of an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) headquartered in San Ramon, CA.

A full line of lubrication and coolant products are marketed through this organization. Select brands include Havoline^®, Delo^® and Havoline Xpress Lube^®. Chevron Intellectual Property, LLC owns patented technology in advanced lubricants products, new generation base oil technology and coolants.

For more information go to: www.ChevronLubricants.com

Media Contacts:
Cathy Hendrix, Demand Strategies for Chevron, cmccarty@demandstrategies.com,
502.419.8294

Source: Chevron