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DAYTONA, Fla.
(Dec. 15, 2007) – The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
(NASCAR) announced today that Camping World, the country’s largest
RV and outdoor retailer, will become the title sponsor for NASCAR
Camping World Series beginning in 2008, entitling NASCAR’s top
developmental series – the long-standing Grand National Division,
East and West Series.
Over the years,
this series has helped launch the careers of many future NASCAR
stars, including current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standouts Kevin
Harvick, Martin Truex, Jr., and David Gilliland, along with two-time
championship crew chief Greg Zipadelli. As the new title sponsor,
Camping World looks to continue the tradition of developing talented
young drivers that aspire to go on and excel in the highest levels
of NASCAR racing. Recent enhancements to the series included a
schedule with an expanded geographic reach, new competition and
cost-containment initiatives such as the new “spec engine” and
composite body, and a lowered age-limit to 16 for drivers.
“NASCAR’s
developmental series are critical to the future of the sport and
Camping World’s participation and commitment is a key to the success
of every short track competitor and operator,” said Brian France,
NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “Camping World is the right sponsor at the
right time, providing a national banner over our important
developmental tours and the NASCAR stars of tomorrow.”
The NASCAR
Camping World Series features cars similar in design and appearance
to those cars competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The East
Series races in key markets in the northeast, along the Atlantic
seaboard, and as far west as Iowa. The West Series features events
along the Pacific coast, and several western states, reaching as far
east as Iowa, where the two separate series meet for a combined
event in May. Both series run at a challenging combination of short
tracks, intermediates, road courses, and speedways, with a number of
races held in combination with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events.
“NASCAR’s
developmental series has a rich history of drivers, race tracks and
fans and we are pleased with our new role as the series sponsor
during its re-launch,” said Marcus Lemonis, Chairman and CEO,
Camping World. “We intend to use our resources to promote and
support these type of family activities in which our products are
used. We were attracted to this opportunity in order to help
establish an affordable venue for both the spectator family and the
competitor.”
Camping World
currently has extensive involvement in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
It has a primary sponsorship relationship with Kevin Harvick Inc.,
the race team owned by the former West Series champion and current
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star. Camping World’s sponsorship with KHI
includes primary sponsorship for NASCAR Nationwide Series entries,
as well as 19 races as primary sponsor for the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman
Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr., a former West Series
runner-up.
"Camping World
has done a great job raising the level of awareness of their brand
through their involvement with their NASCAR sponsorships,” Harvick
said. “Fans in RVs travel hundreds of thousands of miles each year
to attend races all over the country and they are certainly
passionate about the sport of racing. I think it's a natural fit."
“I think it’s
great that Camping World is getting more involved in the sport,”
Hornaday said. “For them to partner with NASCAR to form the Camping
World Series is exciting news. Since I raced in the West series
earlier in my career and have sponsorship from Camping World now at
KHI, I think they will do great things for our sport. This is a
great series that has produced some really good drivers over the
years.”
In addition,
Camping World has a primary NASCAR Nationwide Series sponsorship
relationship with Richard Childress Racing, and race sponsorship
with three NASCAR Nationwide Series events (Daytona, New Hampshire
and California). |
