Automobile Club of Southern California to Sponsor NASCAR Busch Series Race at California Speedway
10 February 1999
Automobile Club of Southern California to Sponsor NASCAR Busch Series Race at California Speedway
FONTANA, Calif., Feb. 9 -- California Speedway, a subsidiary
of Penske Motorsports, Inc. (PMI) , and the Automobile Club of
Southern California today announced a five-year agreement naming the Auto Club
title sponsor of the Auto Club 300, according to Scott Atherton, president and
general manager, California Speedway, and Thomas V. McKernan Jr., president
and CEO, Automobile Club of Southern California.
The Auto Club 300, a NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division race, is
scheduled for Saturday, May 1 with an 11:30 a.m. (PDT) start televised live by
ABC to a national audience.
"California Speedway is the premier motorsports facility in the country
and NASCAR is the pacesetter in terms of marketing influence, media
visibility, fan attendance, and popularity on the American motorsports scene,"
commented McKernan. "The Auto Club 300 offers us the perfect venue in which
to increase our name awareness and showcase our products and services to the
general public while enhancing our relationship with our members. It's a
win-win situation and we are looking forward to the next five years of growth
and opportunity."
The Auto Club will be part of the track's California 500 presented by NAPA
weekend that will also feature a NASCAR Winston Cup and Winston West race.
The Club previously sponsored the Winston West race (a 200-mile contest) in
1997-98.
"The Automobile Club of Southern California has been a very important
partner in the growth of the California Speedway," said Atherton. "This new
agreement strengthens the relationship we have developed over the years and we
look forward to offering many exciting marketing opportunities to Auto Club
members as well as the thousands of guests visiting California Speedway."
In addition to its NASCAR race sponsorship, the Auto Club's involvement at
California Speedway includes offering discount ticket packages and merchandise
to Club members, providing emergency road service for all spectators,
sponsorship of the track's fleet of on-track tow vehicles, spectator trams and
people movers, track signage and hospitality for employees and business
partners.
Tickets to the Auto Club 300, and all other 1999 events are available by
calling the California Speedway ticket office at 800-944-7223.
Founded in 1900, the Automobile Club of Southern California is the
nation's largest AAA affiliate -- a multiple benefit organization providing a
selection of quality automotive, financial, insurance and travel services to
its almost five million members.
The Auto Club enjoys a rich motorsports heritage dating back to the early
1900s when it sanctioned and promoted track and endurance races. Although the
organization stopped sanctioning races many years ago to focus on member
services, for decades it has worked closely with manufacturers, mechanics, and
state agencies to improve vehicle technology and safety.
The Club has also encouraged thousands of young men and women to pursue
automotive careers through its sponsorship of career fairs, automotive skill
contests and teen road rallies.
Penske Motorsports, Inc. (PMI) is a leading promoter and marketer of
professional motorsports in the United States. PMI owns and operates the
following facilities through its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Michigan Speedway
in Brooklyn, Michigan; Nazareth Speedway in Nazareth, Pennsylvania; California
Speedway in San Bernardino County, California; and North Carolina Speedway
near Rockingham, North Carolina. PMI also holds a 45% interest in
Homestead-Miami Speedway, LLC, near Miami, Florida. In addition, PMI produces
and markets motorsports-related merchandise and accessories such as apparel,
souvenirs and collectibles through its subsidiary, Motorsports International
Corp.; and a subsidiary of PMI distributes and sells Goodyear brand racing
tires in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States.
Penske Motorsports' major shareholder is a majority-owned subsidiary of
Penske Corporation, a closely-held, diversified transportation services
company which conducts its business through a number of wholly- or
partially-owned companies, including Penske Truck Leasing Company, Detroit
Diesel Corporation, Diesel Technology Company, Penske Automotive Group, Inc.,
Penske Auto Centers, Inc., and Penske Capital Partners. The Penske group of
businesses has annual revenues exceeding $6 billion and employs more than
28,000 around the world.