Click here to compare WideOpen to other energy drinks. ABOUT THE COMPANY
Wide Open Performance, Inc., a majority minority-owned company, was incorporated in 2004. Based in Abingdon, Virginia, the company was started to create and bring to market a premium quality energy drink which makes a positive difference both off and on the race track.
Off the track, we make an impact through the development of a high quality beverage that is better for you.
On the track, we make a difference by providing incremental funding to the brand’s racing and charity programs.
The term “Wide Open” defines a LIFESTYLE. At the race track, “Wide Open” commonly describes running the car at top speed, or alternatively, pushing the accelerator to the floor. Oftentimes drivers reference the position of the accelerator as “Wide Open” when competing at the prestigious Daytona International and Talladega Superspeedways. Off the track, “Wide Open” describes a common approach to life whether it is through peak performance; the pursuit of boundless, endless, limitless goals and dreams; or just going flat-out and all-out to get everything done during the day.
We understand what you mean when you say “I am Wide Open!”
ABOUT THE BEVERAGE
Wide Open Performance Energy Drink can serve as a caffeine source in the morning, a stimulator for the long “to-do” list in the afternoon, and a night-time spirit mixer. Wide Open Performance Energy Drink is your “multi-purpose high quality functional beverage that is better for you.” The beverage tastes good, contains a very-high quantity of vitamins, low sodium, and does not contain preservatives.
Our preferred customer is at least 18 years of age (21 years of age when mixing with spirits), is not pregnant or nursing and is not sensitive to caffeine.
Work Hard – Play Hard - BE SAFE!!!!!
ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
Thomas E. Underdahl, CEO
Thomas spent Saturday nights (from 8 years old through high school) at the local mid-western dirt track where a very strong passion for racing developed. He drove a dirt hobby stock car before a street car, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Mankato State University in 1987, served ten years in the business community beginning with a staff accountant position with Deloitte & Touche LLP and then in the hotel, food and beverage industries before signing on to be the Business Manager for the #4 Morgan-McClure Motorsports NASCAR Sprint Cup team in 1997.
After a short time with Penske Racing, Thomas moved on to be a minority partner in the Team Jesel Motorsports operation that operated a two-car NASCAR Busch Series team in 2001 and 2002 with drivers Hank Parker, Jr. and Casey Mears (2002). Thomas and the team earned their “Wide Open” credibility by winning a NASCAR Busch Series race in Colorado Springs in July 2002. After ceasing business operations at the end of the 2002 season, Thomas rejoined his old friend and mentor Larry McClure to help him with the #4 car and start the beverage company in 2004.
Vicki J. Nye, President
Vicki, an enrolled member of the Bad River Band of Chippewa Indians, grew up on the shores of Lake Superior in Northern Wisconsin. Since before she was born, stock car racing was a family passion as cousins and close family friends competed at the local dirt tracks on Saturday nights. Her earliest racing memory goes back to being five years old sitting on a bucket in Grandma Nye’s garage and handing wrenches and screw drivers to volunteer crew members as they worked on the hopeful “Saturday Night Feature Winner.”
Vicki’s “Wide Open” competitive spirit combined with her love for horses earned her recognition as a Championship Barrel Racer throughout the Midwest until her decision to attend college forced the early retirement from full-time competition.
She kept up the “Wide Open” lifestyle by accepting a part-time position as Campus Marketing Representative for the Miller Brewing Company at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. While promoting (at that time) the Number 1 beer product in the nation at the Number 1 beer drinking school, Vicki earned a license to “party WIDE OPEN” along with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance, Banking, and Investments.
Post-graduate accounting and finance jobs in Corporate America filled Vicki’s resume with valuable work experiences in Retail Brokerage, Trading Floors, Wall Street and Banking, various start-up companies, and Indian Gaming Casinos. A strong desire to live where it “was not likely to snow” led Vicki to throw a dart at the map which led her to the consideration of moving South to work in NASCAR racing. Like many others before her, Vicki gave away what she couldn’t easily move and packed the rest for a one-way trip to Charlotte, North Carolina. Working as an accountant in the racing industry led to meeting business partner Thomas Underdahl in 2002 and ultimately Co-Founding the energy drink company Wide Open Performance, Inc. in 2004. |
