NASCAR Trucks: Pickuptruck.com extends relationship wit SMR

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Sandusky, Ohio - Pickuptruck.com extended their relationship with the No. 88 SealMaster Racing team as an associate sponsor for the next two seasons. Plans are already in the works to expand the site with unique content and regular updates on the Craftsman Truck Series.

"If you check out the site today you will find reviews on everything about trucks from prices to parts, accessories to news. This site covers the whole gamut for pickup truck enthusiasts," states John Gillies, CEO of BVerticals, Inc., one of the web's leading developers of enthusiast sites.

Pickuptruck.com is the online site where pickup truck owners, potential buyers and enthusiasts can come to learn the latest news. They can also research and buy a truck as well as purchase online a whole range of parts and accessories for their pickup truck or SUV. There are even links to partners who provide financing, insurance, and extended warranties.

Pickuptruck.com's primary sponsorship in 2000 with the SealMaster Racing led to the Internet's first "e-co/op" with VWVortex.com and AudiWorld.com. One month into the primary sponsorship, all three merged to become BVerticals.

"With NASCAR fans and web enthusiasts worldwide following the truck series, we consistently saw a large increase in site traffic each Monday following the NASCAR Craftsman Truck race, all season long. It was that kind of draw that makes it clear that there is a synergy between the media exposure of the NASCAR events and the accessibility and community building available on the web.

Our merger with AudiWorld.com and VWVortex.com builds on this mission of establishing The premier online communities for automotive enthusiasts, and led us to combine talents and form BVerticals," stated John Gillies. "We hope to provide the Sealmaster team the visibility and accessibility on the web for members of the NASCAR truck racing community and fans of the series."

SealMaster Racing will be entering their sixth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Since joining the circuit full-time in 1998, the team has improved its final NCTS point standings finish each year, including a 14th-place performance in 2000. SMR has one victory and two poles in 96 NCTS starts. In 24 starts, SMR posted eight top 10 finishes and led five races. SMR finished ninth in mileage completed.

Headed by Duke and Rhonda Thorson, SealMaster Racing operates from a 10,000-square foot facility in Sandusky, Ohio. The team features eight full-time employees, led by seasoned veteran crew chief, Jerry Cook.

The driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet Silverado is Matt Crafton, the reigning NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series (NFSWS) champion and top 'Rookie of the Year' candidate in the Craftsman Truck Series. www.mattcrafton.com

Starting in Daytona with the Florida Dodge Dealers 250 on Feb. 16, you can catch all the excitement of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series live on ESPN.

Text Provided By FIA

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