Bobby Labonte/Joe Gibbs Racing Hit Home Run With Major League Baseball Paint Scheme
21 July 2000
Bobby Labonte/Joe Gibbs Racing Hit Home Run With Major League Baseball Paint Scheme
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--July 20, 2000--NASCAR Winston Cup points leader Bobby Labonte, Joe Gibbs Racing and Interstate Batteries have teamed up with Major League Baseball(R) (MLB(TM)) and Action Performance Companies Inc. to unveil a new Major League Baseball/All-Star Game(R)/Interstate Batteries paint scheme.NASCAR fans caught their fist glimpse of Labonte's Major League Baseball/All-Star Game themed car Sat. May 27, 2000, at an unveiling at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte.
Labonte's Major League Baseball/All-Star Game/Interstate Batteries machine will be sporting the 2000 All-Star Game logo over a vibrant red body for one exclusive race. Fans can catch the Major League Baseball/All-Star/Interstate Batteries Pontiac Grand Prix at the Pepsi 400 in Daytona on July 1. The Atlanta Braves will host the 71st All-Star Game on July 11 at Turner Field.
The game will be broadcast live on NBC beginning at 8 p.m. EST. Beginning with the car's on-track debut in Daytona, Action Performance Companies Inc. and other select licensees will offer fans a full line of collectible die-cast replicas, apparel items and related merchandise with the 2000 All-Star Game theme.
"Being able to run the special paint scheme with Major League Baseball's `All-Star' logo on the car is going to be a lot of fun," Labonte said. "We all grow up either playing or watching baseball, it's about as American as you can get. So it gives me a lot of pride that the folks at Action Performance and Major League Baseball have teamed up to do this promotion.
"I think it also says a lot about how big NASCAR has become. Now it's up to me and the Interstate Batteries Racing Team to make sure we put that car up front in Daytona so everyone will get a chance to see it."
"We are thrilled to be associated with Major League Baseball and Action Performance Companies on this project," said Joe Gibbs. "We look forward to seeing that red, white and blue No. 18 Interstate Batteries Pontiac Grand Prix on the race track at Daytona July 4th weekend."
"Major League Baseball is delighted to tie-in with Bobby Labonte and Joe Gibbs, who are among NASCAR's all-stars," said Tim Brosnan, executive vice president of Major League Baseball.
"In addition to putting the spotlight on the upcoming Major League All-Star Game in Atlanta, this association gives us the opportunity to reach out to a new legion of fans with a collectible line of unique baseball/NASCAR product."
"Interstate Batteries is extremely pleased to be involved with Major League Baseball in the promotion of the All-Star Game," said Charles Suscavage, Interstate Batteries vice president of public relations and advertising.
"We are thrilled to be working with Bobby Labonte, Joe Gibbs Racing, Interstate Batteries and Major League Baseball on a program that unites NASCAR fans and baseball fans," said Fred W. Wagenhals, Action Performance chairman, president and chief executive officer. "The paint scheme is really great and I can't think of a better way to celebrate the first MLB All-Star game of the millennium."
Action will design, market and distribute a variety of exclusive collectible die-cast replica cars, apparel items and other merchandise with the Major League Baseball/All-Star Game/Interstate Batteries theme.
These specially designed items will be available through Action's standard distribution channels, trackside, online through goracing.com and through NASCAR owned and operated retail establishments.
Action Performance Companies Inc. (Nasdaq NM: ACTN) is the leader in the design, promotion and distribution of licensed motorsports merchandise. Its products include a broad range of motorsports-related die-cast car replica collectables, apparel, souvenirs, and other memorabilia.
The company markets and distributes products through a variety of channels, including Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA), online at goracing.com, trackside at racing events, mass retail department stores, and a worldwide network of wholesale distributors and specialty dealers.