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NHRA: True Value becomes title sponsor of NHRA Keystone Nationals

4 September 1999

GLENDORA, Calif. - True Value, a Chicago-based hardware retailer, has reached a one year agreement with the National Hot Rod Association to sponsor the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series national event in September at Maple Grove Raceway, NHRA Vice President of Sales Steve Johnson has announced.

The True Value NHRA Keystone Nationals is scheduled for Sept. 16-19 at the historic Reading, Pa. quarter-mile. The race is the 17th event in the $40 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series in 1999.

"We are extremely thrilled to have one of the leading hardware retailers involved with NHRA drag racing," said Steve Johnson, NHRA vice president of sales. "The NHRA audience includes some of the most brand-loyal, do-it-yourselfers in all of pro sports. We're pleased to begin this partnership with True Value and look forward to the start of another great tradition in NHRA drag racing."

True Value raced into the motorsports scene over 18 years ago in 1981, as a sponsor and even more important, as a supporter of the sport with an eye toward establishing meaningful partnerships based on winners working with winners. After all these years, True Value stands as the Official Hardware Store of NASCAR and the True Value IROC Series, and has brought its winning attitude and hands on involvement to various levels of motorsports. It is the company's first venture in the sport of drag racing.

"True Value is always looking for new ways to make a connection with our customers," said Frank Rothing, vice president of True Value advertising. "Our sponsorship of the True Value NHRA Keystone Nationals is just an extension of our commitment to motorsports and an exploration into the exciting world of NHRA drag racing. We welcome the opportunity."

True Value is the world's largest hardware and home center retailer with more than 5,500 locations worldwide. In addition to its store-within-a-store concepts, Just Ask Rental, Tru-Gardens, True Value Paint Shop, and Power Place Outdoor Power Equipment, True Value also offers its own nationally recognized and awarded paint lines, E-Z Kare and Weatherall. Additional information on True Value and individual True Value locations is available at www.truevalue.com.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 22 national events through its NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 85,000 members nationwide and 142 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series' provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, Sears Craftsman E.T. Racing Series and the Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.