IRL: A.J. Foyt Enterprises & Pennzoil Join Forces in 1999
19 January 1999
|
HOUSTON -- Two of American open-wheel racing's most prolific names join forces in 1999 when the team owned by four-time Indy 500 winner A.J. Foyt pours the first bright yellow bottle of Pennzoil motor oil into its two Indy Racing League cars in preparation for Sunday's TransWorld Diversified Services Indy 200 in Orlando, Fla.
Pennzoil, America's No. 1 selling motor oil, will be in the cars of 1998 IRL Champion Kenny Brack and the 1998 six-time pole winner Billy Boat during the upcoming season.
The new relationship marks a significant achievement for Pennzoil in winning the endorsement of a racing legend. Pennzoil decals will be displayed on both cars and drivers' suits, and Foyt will make personal appearances for Pennzoil.
Foyt is the first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. He has won more Indy-style championship races (67) than any other driver in history and has seven national Indianapolis-style championship titles to his name. He also owns 12 major driving championships in various categories.
"I'm excited about our new relationship with Pennzoil, and I'm sure it will be a great one," commented Foyt. "I feel that Pennzoil products perform very well in competition, and the company is dedicated to continuously improving those products to enhance racing performance.
"And, being a native Houstonian, I am happy to be associated with a Houston-based company that is as devoted to racing as I am," Foyt continued.
For Pennzoil-Quaker State Company, the addition of Foyt was too good of a marketing opportunity to pass up.
"We are very proud to add A.J. Foyt's race teams to the Pennzoil fold," said Tom Floyd, senior vice president, lubricants, for Pennzoil-Quaker State Company. "Both A.J. and Pennzoil products have a long history in racing, and I believe the two complement one another. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with A.J."
Pennzoil-Quaker State Company, a leading automotive consumer products company, markets premium quality lubricants, including America's top-selling motor oils, and some 1,300 other car care products. Pennzoil-Quaker State Company is also the parent company of Jiffy Lube International, Inc., the world's largest franchiser of fast oil change centers.
Editors Note: The images displayed in this article (plus many more) can be viewed in The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.