NHRA: Pep Boys renews NHRA title sponsorship

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 22, 2001

Success with 50th Anniversary Nationals Leads to Title Sponsorship of NHRA Event at Maple Grove Raceway

GLENDORA, Calif. - Pep Boys , the nation's leading full-service automotive aftermarket retail and service chain, today announced that it has agreed to another title sponsorship with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Under the terms of this new agreement, the association's October 4-7 event at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pa., will be known as "The Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, presented by Greased Lightning."

Earlier this year, as part of Pep Boys' increasing involvement in motorsports, the company sponsored the Pep Boys NHRA 50th Anniversary Nationals. With 60 million racing fans nationwide and a crowd of 90,000 in attendance, that partnership was a perfect fit for Pep Boys to renew its commitment to the NHRA.

"Being able to interact with racing fans across the country - whether directly in person at the track or via television coverage - presents Pep Boys with a tremendous opportunity," said Michele Meiers, the company's assistant vice president of advertising. "The support from consumers at the 50th Anniversary event in July strengthened our ability to reach our customers and our relationship with the NHRA."

The sponsorship is also providing Pep Boys the opportunity to introduce Greased Lightning, the manufacturer of well-known cleaning and degreasing products used by many motorsports teams, to the sport of drag racing and the NHRA. Greased Lightning recently signed-on as the presenting sponsor of The Pep Boys NHRA Nationals.

"In May, we began what we hoped would be a long-term partnership with Pep Boys," said Bob Wagner, vice president of sales and business development for NHRA. "This agreement continues, what we feel, will be a beneficial partnership to both organizations for many years to come."

The first step toward that goal will be The Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, presented by Greased Lightning. The $1.9 million race, which will be televised by ESPN2, is the 20th of 24 events in the $50 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series for 2001.

Text provided by Bill Furtkevic

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.