National Guardsman, Matt Pierson, received the keys today to a modified 2010 Camaro SS in Nashville, TN. Pierson returned to the States on Christmas Eve following a year-long deployment in Afghanistan with the National Guard.

“This was huge for me and my family,” said Pierson. “Coming home fresh off of deployment, my wife and I were searching for a car. I have always wanted a Camaro, but didn’t think it was going to happen. Prestolite Performance has given me my dream car.”

Pierson is a winner in the Modern Muscle X contest, run by Prestolite Performance, whose well-known brands include Mr. Gasket, ACCEL, Hays, Lakewood, Mallory and QuickTime. The winner was given a choice of a 2011 Ford Mustang, 2010 Chevrolet Camaro or a 2010 Dodge Challenger, upgraded with products from the Prestolite Performance family.

Making the choice was not a problem for the Guardsman. “I always grew up in a Chevrolet family and my mom and dad even have matching Camaros,” said Pierson. “Winning this car is all I have been able to think about.”

Both Pierson and his wife – an avowed Mustang fan – will be featured in a PowerBlockTV segment along with host Courtney Hansen, scheduled to air March 12 and 13, 2011, on SpikeTV. In the hands of Prestolite engineers, the 6-speed, LS3 V8 Camaro has improved performance by almost three-tenths of a second, posting a best of 12.99 at 109.68 mph in the quarter mile.

Prestolite will announce an update to the Modern Muscle X contest for 2011 in February. Details will be available on the Modern Muscle X website at that time.