The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

NHRA: O'Reilly Auto Parts to Sponsor Event at Houston Raceway Park

28 January 1999

GLENDORA, Calif. -- O'Reilly Auto Parts has reached a multi-year agreement with the National Hot Rod Association to sponsor the NHRA national event at Houston Raceway Park in early April, NHRA President Dallas Gardner announced.

The 12th annual O'Reilly Nationals presented by Pennzoil is scheduled for April 8-11 at Houston Raceway Park. The race is the fourth of 22 events in the $40-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series in 1999.

OReilly Auto Parts is extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with Pennzoil in sponsoring the OReilly Nationals presented by Pennzoil, said Ron Byerly, vice president of advertising and marketing for OReilly Auto Parts. Houston is currently our largest market in Texas as far our total number of stores. We look forward to the opportunity to expose our customers to the excitement of NHRA Winston Drag Racing through a variety of promotions and discount coupons for tickets that will be available through OReilly Auto Parts stores. This is one of the premier events in the Houston area and we look forward to being associated with it.

It is the first NHRA event title sponsorship for O'Reilly Auto Parts.

"We are excited to enter our twelfth year of hosting NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series national events while welcoming a new title sponsor with strength and high-powered vision," said Gerald Critchfield, Houston Raceway Park general manager. "O'Reilly Auto Parts brings their marketing expertise and high-quality standards along with the world renowned brand of presenting sponsor Pennzoil to the fourth largest market in America and the world's fastest quarter-mile."

The company will also sponsor the NHRA Fallnationals at the Texas Motorplex in late October. O'Reilly Auto Parts started its relationship with NHRA as a presenting sponsor for national events held at Houston and Dallas in 1998.

"It's rewarding to see a progressive company like O'Reilly Auto Parts expand their presence in the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series by becoming the title sponsor of one of our most exciting events," said Gardner. "We're confident O'Reilly's involvement will be great for drag racing in Houston. We're looking forward to the beginning of a successful partnership for the future."

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc., based in Springfield, Mo., is a nationally recognized specialty retailer of auto parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories for do-it-yourself customers as well as professional mechanics and service technicians. O'Reilly Auto Parts has over 470 stores throughout the Midwest and California.