Iconic STP Brand Returns to Racing Heritage with Expanded Sponsorship Portfolio in 2011

Brand to Sponsor Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 Car and Serve as Title Sponsor for Two NASCAR® Races

DANBURY, Conn. (April 13, 2011) – When STP and Richard Petty first signed a deal in 1972, it forever changed the sponsorship landscape within the sport of auto racing. To mark its 39 year history in racing, the STP brand is building its presence in the sport through multiple series’ including NASCAR, NHRA, World of Outlaws, Infineon Speedway, and at several International Speedway Corporation (ISC) tracks.

STP’s racing portfolio includes:

• Multi-year title sponsorship of the Nationwide and Cup races at Chicagoland Speedway and Kansas Speedway, respectively. This year, the STP 300 Nationwide Series race will take place on June 4 and the STP 400 Cup race will run on June 5.
• The STP-branded No. 43 car will make its return to the track driven by Richard Petty Motorsports driver, AJ Allmendinger, during the STP 400. The No. 43 STP Ford Fusion will be a modern replica of the 1972 paint scheme featuring the original Petty Blue and STP Day-Glo Red.
• Primary sponsor of two-time NHRA Full Throttle Nitro Funny Car Champion Tony Pedregon for three races (Las Vegas, Houston and Infineon) and an associate sponsorship for the balance of the season.
• Multi-year track sponsorships with a number of ISC properties including Daytona, Talladega, Richmond, Darlington, Michigan, Chicagoland and Kansas.
• Multi-year track sponsorship of Infineon Raceway and title sponsor of Wednesday Night Drags and Bracket Drags.
• Continued sponsorship of Tony Stewart Racing and four-time World of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz and the World of Outlaws Series.

“Since our initial sponsorship with Richard Petty almost 40 years ago, we’ve understood the power of racing and the ability to connect with our consumers through the sport,” said Dave Lundstedt, CEO of Armored AutoGroup Inc. “We are excited to be continuing that relationship with the fans and adding another chapter to our storied racing history with a diverse stable of sponsorships.”

Added Guy Andrysick, Armored AutoGroup EVP of Sales and Marketing, “Just like the teams, drivers and tracks that we are sponsoring, the STP brand stands for quality and performance. So as we look to grow the STP brand in a competitive marketplace and create new and exciting activation opportunities for our retail partners, a renewed presence in motorsports is an important part of our strategy.”

Part of what made STP an iconic brand within the sport was the No. 43 race car that dawned the classic Petty Blue and STP Day-Glo Red. Richard Petty proudly drove the No. 43 STP car for 200 wins during his racing career – 100 more than any other driver. STP’s winning relationship with Petty shows that STP truly has “The Racer’s Edge®” in the sport.

“Since ‘72, I’ve been an STP man, so I’m thrilled to see one of the RPM cars out on the track with the STP paint scheme,” said Richard Petty, team owner of Richard Petty Motorsports and legendary driver of the No. 43 STP car. “It’s exciting to see such an iconic brand build upon its heritage in the sport at this level.”

“We are extremely proud to announce this multi-year partnership with STP at several ISC tracks,” said Daryl Q. Wolfe, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at ISC.  “It is always great to see iconic sponsors like STP take a renewed interest in the sport, especially given STP’s long and rich history in NASCAR and motorsports as a whole.  We take pride in developing strong promotional platforms for our partners and we look forward to working closely with STP in the future to meet and exceed their marketing objectives.”

Armored AutoGroup:
Armored AutoGroup Inc., headquartered in Danbury, Conn., is primarily comprised of the Armor All® and STP® brands. The current Armor All product line of protectants, wipes, tire and wheel care products, glass cleaners, leather care products and washes is designed to clean, shine and protect interior and exterior automobile surfaces. The STP product line of oil and fuel additives, functional fluids and automotive appearance products has a broad customer base ranging from professional racers to car enthusiasts and “Do-it-Yourselfers”.

Our company has a diversified geographic footprint with direct operations in the United States, Canada, Australia and the U.K. and distributor relationships in approximately 50 countries.

Richard Petty Motorsports:
Known to many simply as “The King,” Richard Petty is the most decorated driver in the history of NASCAR racing, winning a record 200 races and seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships during his illustrious career. In late 2010, Petty partnered with Medallion Financial and DBG Investments to purchase the assets of Richard Petty Motorsports. Richard Petty Motorsports fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. AJ Allmendinger wheels the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion and Marcos Ambrose drives the No. 9 machine with sponsorship from Stanley and DEWALT. For additional information about the Concord, N.C.-based race team, please visit richardpettymotorsports.com.

International Speedway Corporation:
International Speedway Corporation is a leading promoter of motorsports activities, currently promoting more than 100 racing events annually as well as numerous other motorsports-related activities.  The Company owns and/or operates 13 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities, including Daytona International Speedway® in Florida (home of the DAYTONA 500®); Talladega Superspeedway® in Alabama; Michigan International Speedway® located outside Detroit; Richmond International Raceway® in Virginia; Auto Club Speedway of Southern CaliforniaSM near Los Angeles; Kansas Speedway® in Kansas City, Kansas; Phoenix International Raceway® in Arizona; Chicagoland Speedway® and Route 66 RacewaySM near Chicago, Illinois;  Homestead-Miami SpeedwaySM in Florida; Martinsville Speedway® in Virginia; Darlington Raceway® in South Carolina; and Watkins Glen International® in New York.  In addition, ISC promotes major motorsports activities in Montreal, Quebec, through its subsidiary, Stock-Car Montreal.

The Company also owns and operates MRN® Radio, the nation’s largest independent sports radio network and Americrown Service CorporationSM, a subsidiary that provides catering services, food and beverage concessions, and produces and markets motorsports-related merchandise.  For more information, visit the Company’s Web site at www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com

NASCAR’s Kurt Busch to Make NHRA Pro Debut at the 41st Annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals

Busch will compete in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock category March 11-13 at Gainesville Raceway

GLENDORA, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2011) –  Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has announced that he will be making his NHRA Full Throttle Series debut at the 41st annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, March 11-13, at historic Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway.

The 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion will be competing for one of the 16 qualifying spots in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock class in the Shell Dodge Avenger for Allen Johnson and J & J Racing.

“Pro Stock is the tightest pro category as far as the elapsed time is concerned and it’s not going to be an easy task,’ Busch said.  “I feel me teaming up with Allen Johnson and the Mopar folks, we’ve given ourselves the best opportunity to make the show.”

Busch spent a good part of his busy offseason testing with Allen Johnson and he earned his NHRA Pro Stock license with an impressive best-pass of 6.576 seconds at 210.43 mph at Bradenton, Fla.

As a matter of reference (understanding conditions are not identical), Mike Edwards was the No. 1 qualifier at the 2010 Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals with a 6.537 at 211.53 and Rickie Jones was on the bump with a 6.601 at 209.10. Busch’s 6.576 would have qualified him 11th.

When Busch arrives in Gainesville for the 41st running of the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, he will get a total of four qualifying passes – two on Friday and two on Saturday – at which point the 16-car fields will be set for Sunday’s race.

Pro Stock cars have similar appearance to their showroom counterparts but feature extensive engine modifications, sophisticated chassis and suspension with a maximum 500 cubic-inch engine displacement.  On average a Pro Stock car will cover the quarter-mile in six and a half seconds with a speed of more than 200 mph.

“It’s a whole different world than NASCAR.  The toughest part is staging the car and of course cutting a good light, the thrill of the launch and the speed at the top-end is why I’m so fascinated with drag racing.  But I do know that heading to the Gatornationals and running with the pros, I will get a full dose of ‘humble pie.’”

At the 2010 Tire Kingdom Gatornationals, Busch competed in the Super Gas category, which is part of the NHRA Lucas Oil Series, in a rebuilt 1970 Dodge Charger.  Weather plagued the event which limited his time on the track and contributed to his first round loss in the category.

“The 2010 event was an experience of a lifetime, the camaraderie with the sportsman guys was a truly fun experience,” Busch said.  “Although it was tough to watch it rain for four days, the grassroots effort of the sportsman guys is what makes the true heart of NHRA racing.”

Busch, a native of Las Vegas, was introduced to drag racing in the early 1990s when he met two Las Vegas based NHRA racers – George Marnell, a Pro Stock racer, and Dave Bush (no relation), a Super Comp competitor.  He also became friends with three-time NHRA Top Fuel Champion Larry Dixon when both were sponsored by the same company.

The Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals have long been a ‘must-see’ destination event for race fans across the world as they make the pilgrimage to the track based in north-central Florida.  Fans are always treated to tremendous racing at the track that has hosted NHRA events since 1970.  For tickets for the 42nd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, log on to www.NHRAtix.com or call 800-884-NHRA (6472).

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2011.  As the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States, NHRA presents 22 national events featuring the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Two NHRA-sanctioned bracket racing series provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels: the NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA.  NHRA also offers the Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 8 to 17.   In addition, NHRA owns and operates five racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Atlanta Dragway in Georgia; National Trail Raceway in Ohio; Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Ford Launches “Ford Racing TV,” The YouTube Destination For All Things Ford Racing

DEARBORN, Mich., January 19, 2011 – Ford Racing can be many things to many people.
 
For some, Ford Racing is represented by Carl Edwards taking the checkered flag in a NASCAR Sprint Cup race or John Force dominating on the drag strips of NHRA. For others, Ford Racing is the beauty of the latest turnkey, ready-to-race offering; be it the Mustang Cobra Jet or BOSS 302R. Still others find their fix in the latest supercharger or crate engine offering as they maximize the performance of their Ford car or truck.
 
Ford Racing isn’t just competition, and it isn’t just performance parts.
 
With that in mind, Ford announced today the launch of “Ford Racing TV” via You Tube.  Represented by a chic retro TV logo, Ford Racing TV is the enthusiasts’ one-stop destination for Ford Racing video offerings.   The new site is located at www.youtube.com/fordracingtv.
 
Looking for the latest stunt from Ken Block or Tanner Foust in their high-horsepower Ford Fiestas?  Want to celebrate on the podium with Ashley Force Hood at Pomona?  Do you want installation tips from Ford Racing performance parts, or want to catch a sneak peak of the 2012 Cobra Jet?   All will be available at Ford Racing TV.  
 
Like the programs and product offerings from Ford Racing, the content of Ford Racing TV will be wide and varied.
 
“Ford Racing TV is our new, unified You Tube Channel, which will bring together all facets of Ford Racing programs and performance parts offerings,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford North America Motorsports. “In short, Ford Racing TV is your one stop-shop on You Tube for all Ford Racing video. Ford Racing is represented by the performance of our drivers, cars and parts, and it is tied together with a rich, 110-year history and a vision started by our founder, Henry Ford himself.”
 
Ford Racing and Ford Racing Performance Parts have maintained separate sites for the last two seasons, and while the old sites will remain as an archive of past clips, all new content will move on the new You Tube Channel as of 12 noon, ET, January 19.
 
While Ford Racing TV is officially launched today, both the Ford Racing You Tube page and the Ford Performance Parts You Tube page will continue to exist for a period to ease the transition for Ford enthusiasts. Many of the top videos from each site have been transitioned to the new Ford Racing TV page, creating a “greatest hits” area to kick off the launch of the new site.
 
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About Ford North America Motorsports
Ford North America Motorsports, based in Dearborn, Mich., is responsible for major racing operations in North America, including NASCAR (Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, Camping World Trucks), Grand American sports car racing, NHRA drag racing, RallyCar and USAC midget car racing.  The department also oversees the development and marketing of Ford Racing Engines and Performance Parts, the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts, and the marketing of the Ford Racing brand.  For more information regarding Ford Racing’s activities, please visit www.fordracing.com.