NASCAR: Kobalt Tools Continues NASCAR Family Tradition with Skinners
17 February 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
WILKESBORO, N.C.-- Kobalt Mechanics Tools will do its part this season to continue NASCAR's tradition of multi-generation family drivers by being the primary sponsor for 10 NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division races and an associate sponsor for the balance of the season with the No. 19 Emerald Performance Group team driven by NASCAR Winston Cup Series regular Mike Skinner and son Jamie Skinner.
The sponsorship is a continuation of Kobalt's overall motorsports program that began in 1998. The tool line, available at Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouses nationwide, was featured on the No. 31 Team Lowe's/Richard Childress Racing Chevrolets that Mike Skinner drove to a ninth-place finish in that year's NASCAR Winston Cup season finale at Atlanta Motor Speedway and to victory at the exhibition race in Motegi, Japan. Kobalt Mechanics Tools was named the Official Mechanics Tool of Atlanta Motor Speedway last march and is a major associate sponsor of Team Lowe's Racing this season.
"The chance to work with Mike Skinner on both the Winston Cup and Busch programs, as well as with Jamie Skinner and everyone at Emerald Performance Group, provides us with a variety of opportunities to reach even more race fans and our customers," said Dean Kessel, manager of sports marketing for Lowe's. "The agreement between Kobalt Tools and Emerald Performance Group broadens and further strengthens our involvement in and commitment to motorsports."
Skinner and son will share driving duties throughout the season in the No. 19 Chevrolets, with Mike scheduled to compete in 15 races and Jamie behind the wheel in 17. It's the second season for each driver with the Emerald Performance team, whose other primary sponsors are Yellow Freight and Pameco. The elder Skinner's best Busch Series finish last season was a victory in the Yellow Freight 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (March 13) while the younger Skinner made his debut in the NASCAR Busch Series.
"We've had good luck with a big Kobalt logo on the Lowe's Chevy so we're looking for that to continue with the Winston Cup car as well as carry over to the new program with Emerald Performance Group," said Mike Skinner. "The success we had last season in the Busch Series running only half of the races shows the potential this team has. Jamie will only get better with more seat time and the two of us working together for a full season will help keep the program on the same path, hopefully to the winner's circle."
Text provided by David Hart
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