NHRA: Lucas Oil Products becomes title sponsor of Route 66 Raceway event
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
April 26, 2001
GLENDORA, Calif. (April 26, 2001) - Lucas Oil Products, an industry leader in lubricants and fuel treatments, has reached an agreement with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to become the title sponsor of the 2001 spring event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., Bob Wagner, NHRA vice president of sales and business development, announced.
The Fourth Annual Lucas Oil Products NHRA Nationals will be held May 31-June 3, at Route 66 Raceway. The $2 million race, which will be televised by ESPN2, is the 10th of 24 events in the $50 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series for 2001.
"We're very excited about this partnership," said Bob Patison, senior vice president and general counsel for Lucas Oil Products. "This is a tremendous opportunity for us. We've been involved in drag racing on many levels for the past 12 years, but this is the first time Lucas Oil has been involved with a national event. This event should bring great exposure to not only Lucas Oil Products, but our Funny Car driver John Lawson since this event is held at his home track."
This commitment increases Lucas Oil Products involvement with the NHRA. In addition to their primary sponsorship of Lawson's Funny Car, Lucas Oil Products provides major sponsorship for Top Fuel driver Bruce Litton, Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana, Federal-Mogul Funny Car driver Jason Rupert, and Super Comp drivers Tom Bayer and Morgan Lucas.
"It's gratifying to see Lucas Oil Products expand their involvement with the NHRA by becoming the title sponsor of an event in one of our largest and most important markets," said Wagner. "They have continued to show their support for NHRA Winston Drag Racing through their sponsorship of drivers in a variety of categories, from Funny Car to Super Comp. The Lucas Oil Products NHRA Nationals has evolved into one of the leading motorsports events in the Midwest and we look forward to continued growth in the future."
Lucas Oil Products has been directly involved in the American racing industry through multiple vehicle sponsorships and racing event promotions. Lucas racing products have proven themselves in NHRA, NASCAR, IHRA, IHBA, SCORE and many other forms of motorsports throughout the country.
"It's great to see that we could find a sponsor for our first national event in 2001. We hope this is a beginning of a long-term relationship for Lucas Oil Products and Route 66 Raceway," said Joie Chitwood, vice president and general manager of Raceway Associates. "Lucas Oil Products has shown their support by backing local (Chicago) racer John Lawson, and we're thrilled they're now going to show their support for the entire series."
Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and problem solving additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as a top selling additive line in the American truck stop industry.
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 24 national events through its NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has more than 80,000 members nationwide and more than 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the racing stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series, NHRA Summit Import Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the NHRA Castrol GTX Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.
Text provided by Anthony Vestal
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery .