NAPA Honored by NASCAR

17 December 1998

Charlotte, N.C. - At the fourth annual NASCAR Truck Series awards banquet on Friday, December 11 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, NAPA was honored with the tour's Pursuit of Excellence Award.

NASCAR President Bill France presented the award to NAPA Chairman Bob McKenna.

The award honors those who have enriched the sport.

NAPA is the entitlement sponsor of eight major NASCAR events, including Winston Cup races at California, Martinsville, and Atlanta speedways.

NAPA runs NASCAR related promotions in their 6,200 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores and airs NASCAR themed television commercials. During the award presentation, a video was shown highlighting some of NAPA's NASCAR related television advertising.

"It was a surprise and an honor to be selected by NASCAR for this award," said McKenna. "Our involvement in NASCAR has been rewarding for us, and it's nice to know that NASCAR appreciates what we are doing."

The driver and team of the NAPA sponsored Chevy truck were also honored that evening as the series' 1998 champions.

Ron Hornaday, the first two-time Truck Series champion, closed the book on his record-setting season as the tour's all-time and single season money won leader.

He received $383,507 in post-season monies, bringing his 1998 winnings to $915,407, a single-season mark. He now has $2,442,586 in career winnings.

"This is a very special time for me and my family," said Hornaday. "I would like to thank everyone at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and all the NAPA folks for allowing me to live my dream. This has been an incredible year."

Hornaday and the NAPA team will begin the fight for their third title when the tough trucks invade Miami-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex in South Florida on March 20, 1999.