SCCA: $27,000 Payout up for grabs in Johnson Controls Triple Challenge
18 March 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--Johnson Controls returns to the
BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am
Series in 2000, sponsoring the "Johnson Controls Triple Challenge," with a
guaranteed bonus payout of $27,500.
Each of the three BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Triple Challenge racesthe Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 16; the Tenneco Automotive Grand Prix of Detroit, June 17; and the Grand Prix of Las Vegas, October 29will individually be known as the "Johnson Controls 100."
This season will be the second year the Johnson Controls 100 will be part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the third year as part of the Tenneco Automotive Detroit Grand Prix, and the first year as part of the Grand Prix of Las Vegas weekend.
"Were very pleased with the continued support Johnson Controls has shown with its sponsorship of the Johnson Controls Triple Challenge for the 2000 season," said John Clagett, SCCA Pro Racing Vice President. "The Johnson Controls 100 events are some of our most prestigious races of the season, and Johnson Controls involvement makes it possible for us to enhance the presence of the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series at each of these major venues.
The Johnson Controls Triple Challenge pays $20,000 to the driver who totals the most Drivers Championship points over the three Triple Challenge races, and a bonus of three Drivers Championship pointsa bonus that could decide the Drivers Championship title. The second-place Johnson Controls Triple Challenge finisher will receive a $5,000 cash bonus with the third place Triple Challenge driver receiving a $2,500 prize.
"The Johnson Controls 100 races provide our company an outlet to connect our products to our auto maker customers, partners, suppliers and the driving public," said Mike Suman, Group Vice President of Advanced Sales, Marketing and Business Development for Johnson Controls. "Our sponsorship of the Triple Challenge demonstrates the commitment of Johnson Controls and our employees to automotive excellence, and we're proud to be a part of the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series."
The 1999 Johnson Controls Triple Challenge winner was BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Drivers Champion Paul Gentilozzi, driver for Team HomeLink Racing and owner of Lansing, Mich.-based Rocketsports Racing. Last years Johnson Controls Triple Challenge offered $50,000 to a driver who won all three Triple Challenge races, or a $5,000 bonus to the driver who scored the most Drivers Championship points at the three events, if no single driver won all three races. Gentilozzi earned the $5,000 payout after winning at Long Beach, finishing second at Detroit and fifth at Grand Rapids, Mich.
"Sponsoring Paul has been a great experience and Im certain this year will be no exception as Paul races toward the Triple Challenge bonus and a third consecutive title," added Suman.
The Plymouth, Michigan-based automotive business of Johnson Controlswhich employs more than 65,000 people at 275 facilities worldwideachieved US$12.1 billion in sales for the 1999 fiscal year. In model-year 2000, it will supply interior products for more than 22 million vehicles.
Johnson Controls, Inc., is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major supplier of seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non-residential facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services, energy management and integrated facility management. Johnson Controls , founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee. Wis. Its sales for 1999 totaled US$16.1 billion.
Text provided by Dave Roznowski
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