|
CORNELIUS, N.C. (August 8, 2008) - NAPA and Michael Waltrip Racing announced today the extension of one of the longest sponsor/driver relationships in NASCAR history.
Two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip will carry the blue and gold colors of NAPA AUTO PARTS for the ninth-consecutive season starting at the 2009 Daytona 500. It marks one of the longest running relationships in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition.
"I have celebrated my greatest racing moments wearing NAPA colors and we have enjoyed some wonderful on-track and commercial success," said Waltrip, the driver of the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry. "Both of my Daytona 500 wins were with NAPA. The launch of my own race team was with NAPA. We have been together so long. It's hard to think of one without the other."
"Michael Waltrip is a terrific spokesman and brand ambassador for NAPA," said Bob Susor, president of NAPA AUTO PARTS. "In fact, our research indicates that Michael Waltrip and NAPA AUTO PARTS have become synonymous to many race fans. The bond we have forged has helped us sell a lot of auto parts through the years and we are pleased to have Michael represent us again in 2009."
Waltrip won the 2001 Daytona 500 in his first NASCAR Sprint Cup race with NAPA. In total, Waltrip has put NAPA in victory lane six times and has posted 21 top-five and 43 top-10 finishes along with scoring two pole positions. In 2007, Waltrip launched his own team as part of Toyota's inaugural season in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition and currently fields three Cup teams and one NASCAR Nationwide Series team.
About NAPA
NAPA was founded in 1925 to meet America's growing need for a world-class auto parts distribution system. By providing excellent customer service for more than 80 years, NAPA has become the industry leader.
NAPA's strength is unrivaled, with over 6,000 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores, 64 Distribution Centers, more than 12,000 NAPA AutoCare and AutoCare Collision repair facilities, over 370,000 parts in inventory every day and the convenience of 24-hour shopping with NAPAonline. NAPA AUTO PARTS stores provide friendly, personalized service. Our highly trained and experienced professionals are here to help you get the job done. With our huge in-stock inventory, NAPA provides the parts you need when you need them.
In 2009, NAPA will embark on its 14th season of primary sponsorship in NASCAR. NAPA AUTO PARTS has visited victory lane in all three major NASCAR series - Truck, Nationwide and Sprint Cup - amassing 30 wins, two Daytona 500 victories, and two Truck Series championships.
About Michael Waltrip Racing:
Over a decade ago, Michael Waltrip established a modest family-owned NASCAR Nationwide Series team in Sherrills Ford, N.C., called Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR). In 2007 when TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) entered competition in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series, Waltrip established a strong partnership with Toyota to field three full-time Camrys at the pinnacle of the sport while maintaining the integrity of his championship caliber Nationwide team. In the midst of building three NASCAR Sprint Cup teams, Waltrip commenced the construction of a 140,000 sq. ft shop in which all four teams are housed today.
Contacts:
Traci Hultzapple
Senior Account Executive
Wasserman Media Group, LLC
12200 Herbert Wayne Court Suite 180
Huntersville, NC 28078
Cell Phone: 704.231.5130
thultzapple@wmgllc.com
Jennifer Chapple
Corporate Communications
Michael Waltrip Racing
20310 Chartwell Center Drive
Cornelius, NC 28031
Cell Phone: 704.507.8809
jchapple@michaelwaltrip.com
www.michaelwaltrip.com
|
