Justin Bieber in the lead for the Celebrity Bowling Hall of Fame

The second annual race for the Celebrity Bowling Hall of Fame has "pinned" pop icons Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus against each other as the front-runners in a battle to be enshrined in bowling history. The competition will come to a close on August 6, at the conclusion of National Bowling Week, which celebrates the nation's number one participatory sport. Fans are invited to visit www.GoBowling.com  to cast a vote for their favorite celebrity - and receive a coupon for a free game of bowling that can be used at one of more than 4,000 participating bowling centers across the United States.

Last year's Celebrity Hall of Fame runner-up, Justin Bieber, is taking the lead in this year's competition with 40 percent of the votes. Will Bieber Fever prove to be hotter than ever, or will he "strike" out for a second year in a row? In 2010, Taylor Swift fans "spared" no expense as they came out in droves to vote T-Swift into the number one position and induct her into the Celebrity Bowling Hall of Fame. Bieber currently leads second-ranked Miley Cyrus by 17 percent but with the polls open until August 6, the competition for bowling immortality is far from over.

Jeff Bridges, Nick and Joe Jonas, and Lady Gaga round out the top five celebrity nominees and are all looking to make a final push for the 2011 Celebrity Bowling Hall of Fame Nomination, before the campaign comes to a close on August 6. Jimmy Fallon, who finished last in 2010, is once again in the "gutter," firmly holding his 10th place position. Kim Kardashian who currently sits in 9th place will once again have to rally support from her fans for more votes as she looks to gain momentum in the polls.

The Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA) announced today the official vote percentages among the 10 Hall of Fame nominees (as of 9 AM ET on Wednesday, July 27th):

1. Justin Bieber 40% of votes

2. Miley Cyrus 23% of votes

3. Jeff Bridges 13% of votes

4. Nick and Joe Jonas 10% of votes

5. Lady Gaga 5% of votes

6. Lil Wayne 3% of votes

7. Michael Jordan 2% of votes

8. Bill Murray 1% of votes

9. Kim Kardashian 1% of votes

10. Jimmy Fallon 1% of votes

"For the second straight year, we have placed the power in the hands of the fans and the response has been enormous," said Steve Johnson, executive director of the BPAA.  "While Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus have both raced to the top of the charts and the voting polls, we anticipate that it can be anyone's game as the votes continue to roll in."

Final votes for the 2011 Celebrity Bowling Hall of fame will be recorded on Saturday, August 6th at 11:59 PM CT, World Record Day, when more than 4,000 centers across the United States will join forces to attempt to set a new world record for the most bowling games played in a 24 hour period.

Below is bowling background information on the celebrity nominees who have helped support and popularize bowling:

1. Justin Bieber – In a closely contested 2010 Celebrity Bowling Hall of Fame race, teenage heartthrob Justin Bieber was edged by 2010 HOF inductee Taylor Swift.  Bieber, a bowling enthusiast, returns to the 2011 ballot looking for redemption and induction.  In 2010, the music video for Bieber's smash hit single "Baby" was set in a bowling center and has since garnered more than 550 million views on YouTube.

2. Miley Cyrus – Mega hit children's television show, check.  Hit solo music artist, check.  A-List movie star, check.  Killer bowling game, check!  At only 18, Miley Cyrus is certainly a busy girl, but when she's not filming or recording, she's been spotted at various bowling centers with celebrity friends, including fellow nominees Nick Jonas and Justin Bieber, and charity bowling events. 

3. Jeff Bridges – Oscar award-winning actor Jeff Bridges reinvented "cool" when he starred as "The Dude" in the 1998 critically acclaimed bowling film "The Big Lebowski."  The movie has since become a cult classic amongst bowling fans and has spurned an annual "Lebowskifest" circuit nationwide.

4. Nick and Joe Jonas – The uber-popular Jonas Brothers, Nick and Joe, have been spotted battling it out on the lanes by celebrity magazines during their downtime from touring.  There hasn't been an official word on who's the better bowler of the two, but Jonas friends can rejoice that they share a nomination for HOF induction in 2011.

5. Lady Gaga – Lady Gaga has risen to the top of the pop charts behind her risque persona and hit songs, garnering an army of "Monsters" who follow and cheer her every move.  Popular culture has even begun to refer to anything "cool" as "Gaga."  Often spotted by celebrity magazines on the bowling lanes, she has done her part to help elevate the sport and make people go "Gaga" for bowling.

   
6. Lil Wayne –A multi-talented hip hop artist, Lil Wayne has certainly earned his share of street cred through his smooth lyrics and poetic rhymes, but who knew that his skills extended to bowling?  Lil Weezy paired with PBA Hall of Famer Norm Duke at NBA star and 2010 HOF candidate Chris Paul's Annual Celebrity Bowling Invitational in 2011, earning a spot in the finals before being defeated by Paul and Jason Belmonte.  Rumor has it that Wayne has been spotted on the lanes practicing for their rematch.

7. Michael Jordan – In 2010, Michael Jordan was inducted into pro basketball's Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame as the greatest basketball player of all time.  Known for his unmatched competitiveness, leaping ability and athletic skill, His Airness is also an excellent bowler, according to Chicago Lucky Strike Lanes general manager Michael Porn, who dubbed Michael "the best (celebrity) bowler," he had ever seen.

8. Bill Murray – Like fine wine, some things just get better with age, none being truer than comic genius Bill Murray's performance as the infamous Ernie McCracken in 1996 comedy "King Pin."  Since his role as the flamboyant McCracken, Murray has been a bowling icon with the popularity of his character living on through millions of internet views.

9. Kim Kardashian – The beautiful Kim Kardashian certainly has a way of gracing bowling centers with her beauty, style and grace.  A bowling enthusiast, Kardashian's photos have graced the pages of celebrity magazines and tabloids nationwide hitting the lanes and featured bowling on the smash hit "Keeping Up With the Kardashians." One of the 2010 candidates, Kardashian lobbied for her fans to vote her into the HOF.

10. Jimmy Fallon – Late night talk show host and former Saturday Night Live star Jimmy Fallon looks to rebound from his last place showing in last year's HOF competition and celebrate a "worst to first" success story in 2011.  Fallon regularly conducts zany segments with celebrity guests including Grapefruit Bowling with Jennifer Anniston, paying Drew Barrymore $10 to lick a bowling ball and a perennial show favorite - Human Bowling.

For more information on the Celebrity Bowling Hall of Fame induction process or to cast a vote for today, visit www.gobowling.com/CelebrityContest/.

Press Release