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NASCAR BGN: New sponsor Albertson's takes Texas by storm

24 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
BOISE, IDAHO-- Albertson's Food & Drug stores have been serving Texas neighborhoods for over 30 years and are adding the Texas Motor Speedway community to the list. Albertson's will tear through Texas Motor Speedway like a tornado with a title sponsorship, give-aways, a convenience store and car sponsorships.

Albertson's has teamed up with General Mills for the race weekend to become the title sponsor of the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division race. The Albertson's 300 presented by Pop Secret is the first title sponsorship for the Idaho-based grocery chain. To help celebrate their sponsorship, Albertson's stores in the Dallas/Fort Worth area will give away 500 Albertson's 300 tickets to customers.

Campers and guests of the speedway will race to the Albertson's Fast Track Groceries-To-Go store for all their weekend camping essentials. For the second year in a row, Albertson's will operate a convenience store in the RV parking area. Albertson's Fast Track will contain perishable and non-perishable items like milk, bread, fruit, coffee, aspirin and toothpaste.

The Fast Track store contains the same low prices customers find everyday at Albertson's stores. The Fast Track operating hours will be Wednesday, March 29 from noon to 10 p.m.; Thursday, March 30 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, March 31 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, April 1 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, April 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

While fans race to the convenience store, Albertson's sponsored Andy Petree Racing will race for the checkered flag on Saturday and Sunday. The No. 15 Albertson's Chevrolet driven by Jack Sprague will compete in 10 events in 2000 with the Albertson's 300 being race No. 3 for the team. Albertson's is also an associate sponsor of the No. 33 and No. 55 Andy Petree Racing Winston Cup cars driven by Joe Nemechek and Kenny Wallace respectively.

Along with the Andy Petree Racing sponsorships, Albertson's has partnered with the No. 43 STP/Cheerios Pontiac driven by John Andretti. The No. 43 will carry the Albertson's logo for the Winston Cup race on April 2 giving one Albertson's customer the opportunity to walk away from the DIRECTV 500 with $100,000. Through registration boxes at all Dallas area stores, one grand prize winner will be awarded four tickets to the Winston Cup race and $100,000 if John Andretti captures the checkered flag and drives the STP/Cheerios Pontiac into victory lane.

Text provided by Heather Kincel

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.