Valvoline Opts To End Sponsorship Of Roush Racing, Mark Martin After 2000 Season

1 June 2000

Valvoline Opts To End Sponsorship Of Roush Racing, Mark Martin After 2000 Season

    LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BW SportsWire)--June 1, 2000--The Valvoline Company has announced that at the conclusion of the 2000 season it will no longer be the major sponsor of the Roush Racing Ford driven by Mark Martin on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit.
    "We have had an excellent and rewarding relationship with Mark Martin and Roush Racing over the past 12 years," said Steven A. Kirchner, senior vice president of worldwide marketing.
    "We negotiated very diligently to continue our sponsorship of Mark Martin," he said. "However, the structure as presented to us by Roush Racing to continue our relationship did not allow for Valvoline to meet its marketing objectives.
    "Valvoline is pursuing other opportunities within NASCAR and we are confident that we will continue to be a major sponsor in Winston Cup racing as we have been for the last 25 years.
    "We look forward to the remainder of the season with Mark and hope that he brings home his first Winston Cup Championship in the No. 6 Valvoline/Cummins Ford."

    The Valvoline Company, a division of Ashland Inc., has been serving American motorists longer than any other motor oil company and is a leading innovator and supplier of quality, high-performing automotive and industrial products in more than 140 countries. Best known for its lubricants, Valvoline also markets Eagle One appearance products, Zerex antifreeze, SynPower Performance Products and Pyroil automotive chemicals. The company also has a stake in the growing quick-lube market with its Valvoline Instant Oil Change unit. Valvoline is a member of the Ashland Inc. family of companies. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.valvoline.com.