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NASCAR BGN: Albertson's And ppc Racing Announce Two-Year Sponsorship

10 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

BOISE, IDAHO--- Albertson's, Inc., one of the largest retail food-drug chains in the United States, announced today it has signed a two-year commitment with ppc Racing as primary sponsor of Jason Keller and the No. 57 team in the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division beginning in 2001.

"Our limited schedule in 2000 taught us that consistency and visibility are keys to maximizing a NASCAR sponsorship," said Pam Powell, group vice president of marketing at Albertson's, Inc. "To fully leverage a sponsorship we need to be on the track for a full season and finishing in the front week after week. Given the performance of the ownership group at ppc Racing this year and during the past decade, they have a record of success in the Busch Series and experience contending for a championship."

Keller is currently in second place in the NASCAR Busch Series Championship points standings. He has four wins and 73 top 10s in his eight-year career. In addition, Keller has racked up 11 top fives, 14 top 10s and a spring win at Dover this season.

"It is exciting to have a sponsor like Albertson's on my car," said Keller. "When you have a nationally recognized sponsor it will not only bring more attention to the car, but more people will become familiar with myself and ppc Racing. Albertson's also understands the importance of other opportunities like track sponsorships and at-track promotions to support and bring awareness to their race program. A combination of racing promotions and a primary sponsorship helps maximize the entire program."

"We are thrilled to be associated with a driver of Jason's caliber," Powell added. "But we are equally excited about him as a person. He is a devoted husband and father, and he's exceptional with the fans. He even hosts an annual charity golf tournament that benefits cystic fibrosis. As a sponsor we could not ask for a more qualified individual to represent our family of stores."

The 2001 NASCAR Busch Series season will be the seventh year of competition for two of the three ppc Racing co-owners Greg Pollex and Bob Campbell. This year, ppc Racing has accumulated six wins, 31 top fives and 37 top-10 finishes. Pollex believes the combination of Albertson's, Inc., and the No. 57 team will only further the success of the ppc Racing organization.

"The opportunity of a multi-year sponsorship with a great family company like Albertson's for Jason Keller and the entire No.57 team was a perfect fit with the current program for Jeff Green and the No. 10 team," said Pollex. "We hope to continue our one-team, two-driver approach in an effort to finish the season where we are currently, one and two in the points."

"I've been a team owner and I understand the importance of long term planning," Keller said. "We have great opportunities coming up in the future. The more consistency we have within our program, the better we are going to do as a team on the track. I want to continue to build on what we have accomplished by winning more races and contending for a championship in the No. 57 Albertson's car."

In addition to being the primary sponsor of the No. 57, Albertson's is also the official grocery store of California Speedway, The Milwaukee Mile, Dover Downs International Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway.

Albertson's opened its first grocery store in 1939 in Boise, Idaho. Founder Joe Albertson based his store on high quality, good value and excellent service. Today, Albertson's, Inc., is one of the largest retail food-drug chains in the United States. The company currently employs over 220,000 individuals and operates almost 2,500 retail stores in 36 states across the country.

Text Provided By ppc Racing

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