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NASCAR WEEKLY RACING SERIES PRESENTED BY DODGE
WITNESSES SPONSORSHIP SURGE ACROSS THE NATION
More companies turning to NASCAR’s weekly series to reach grassroots racing enthusiasts
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 7, 2002) - The NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge, NASCAR’s nationwide short track championship program, is experiencing a surge in interest and support from companies seeking to reach this vast group of racing enthusiasts. A total of 10 new companies - five contingency and five event night/track sponsors - have added this series to their marketing plans while 10 additional corporations have chosen to increase their overall involvement at this level.
The 2002 contingency award postings now consists of 21 companies including new sponsors Bell Helmets, Dodge, Goerlich’s Exhaust Systems, Stage 8 Locking Fasteners and Whelen Engineering. The newest NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge event night/track sponsors, which traditionally provide banners, giveaways and other fan promotions, will promote their products and services through a variety of activities.
· Glidden will supply paint to NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge tracks
· O’Reilly Auto Parts and Waste Management will add track signage in 2002
· Just Born Candies will distribute product samples at selected NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge tracks
· MBNA will place credit card signup booths at selected NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge tracks.
“The NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge offers a unique opportunity for companies of all sizes,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR director of series marketing. “The contingency awards program and the event night/track programs provide the chance to reach weekly drivers, teams and thousands of race fans all across the country who support them in their efforts.”
In addition, 16 companies have renewed their support of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge awards program including 3M, Budweiser, Cintas, Clevite, Craftsman, CV Products, Edelbrock, Featherlite, Gatorade, Goodyear, Holley, Hoosier, Lincoln Electric, Mechanix Wear, Phillips/76 and Raybestos.
A number of companies previously involved at the short track level have stepped up their marketing efforts beginning this season.
· Automotive giant 3M has doubled its event night sponsorships and added product sampling and signage.
· Blue Bunny Ice Cream has chosen to expand its number of event night programs and add signage.
· True Value, the Official Hardware Store of NASCAR, will add to its event night and signage programs, supply paint to the tracks and continue the Mechanic of the Year award.
· Arctic Cat has increased its event night sponsorships.
· Craftsman, The Official Tools of NASCAR, will continue as a contingency sponsor and provide a tool credit of $1,500 to each regional champion, award an additional $1,000 credit to the national champion and increase their involvement in event night sponsorships.
· Lincoln Electric will provide welding stations to tracks, and continue the “sportsman” award in which a welder is given away to a competitor at each participating track, in addition to presenting the championship car owner award for the national champion.
· Berryman has added event night sponsorships to its marketing plans
· Whelen Engineering will increase the number of tracks that it provides free product to, and will also participate in the contingency awards program for the first time.
· Lunati will present the championship crew chief award of $2,500 in each region and add an additional bonus of $5,000 to the national champion crew chief.
· CV Products will supply a commemorative Sparco driver’s uniform to the national champion.
The NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge features 81 race tracks, divided into eight geographic regions. Tracks range in size from .646-mile to .250-mile, and include both asphalt and dirt ovals. Drivers race at their “home track,” and they are also eligible for post-season awards from these and other sponsorship programs.
Gary Nix, director of marketing for Goerlich’s Exhaust Systems, said the grassroots marketing appeal of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge prompted his Goldsboro, N.C.-based company to become involved.
“The value in the program is outstanding,” said Nix. “It’s an opportunity to participate in a motorsports sponsorship program that has a real, tangible element to it. In this series, the fans in the stands might not see our decal on the cars, but we can build awareness among the race teams and mechanics - some of the same people that might actually install our products during the week.”
Whelen Engineering, a Connecticut-based company that manufactures warning equipment and emergency lighting systems for law enforcement, firefighting and emergency service vehicles, has been a sponsor in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division and many other levels of racing.
“Our employees and customers are attending NASCAR Weekly Racing Series races across the country, and we want them to know that we support that,” said Phil Kurze, director of motorsports for Whelen Engineering. “Whelen has been a Winston Cup Series and Busch Series sponsor, but we haven’t ever lost sight of the Weekly Racing Series.”