CHICAGO - NASCAR driver Jeff Burton was on hand at Lenox’s booth Tuesday at the 2009 AHR Expo to announce the top 10 finalists in Lenox’s Extra Mile Hero Contest.

In 2008, Lenox officially kicked off its contest with Burton, driver of the No. 31 Lenox Industrial Tools RCR Chevrolet. The tool manufacturer asked customers to submit stories of people they considered heroes - users and suppliers of industrial tools who go the extra mile for their community.

According to Lenox, a professional and VIP judging panel read through more than 600 nominations before selecting the 10 finalists. Each of the 10 finalists won $3,100 with a matching gift going to the charity of their choice.

Beginning in February, people can go online to vote for the finalist they think will make the best Lenox Extra Mile Hero. The finalist who receives the most votes will also win the grand prize of $31,000, as well as an additional $31,000 to be donated to their charity of choice.

But that’s not all. If Burton wins the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race scheduled for June 28, Lenox said it will increase the grand prize to $1 million for the winner to split equally with the charity of the winner’s choice.

The overall winner will be announced at the 2009 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

To read a more detailed version of the 10 finalist nominations or to vote, go to www.lenoxhero.com.