Now NASCAR Is In The Auto Aftermarket Business

10/18/96

Let's face it, NASCAR is an industry, a country all its own. Besides conducting 2000 race events in a multitude of stock car type classes each year they have restaurants going up, trinket and trash (T-shirts, etc) licensing agreements, books, tapes, TV and radio shows, and now they are going to market their own line of auto parts, starting with motor oil. The new (Unocal) motor oil will be called NASCAR 76 High Performance. This product line will be followed by brake pads, filters, ignition parts and driveline components.

Whereas the NASCAR themed restaurants sounded about as hokey as the Planet Hollywood chain, the "reason for being" seems to make sense. Licensing director George Pine points out that the core of NASCAR is inspecting automobiles and parts at 2,200 races each year adding that NASCAR is the only entity that inspects Pontiacs, Fords and Chevies and is an independent judge of quality and performance.

There will be more NASCAR aftermarket announcements at the SEMA show in Las Vegas November 4-9; TACH will bring these to you . . . LIVE !

Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel