Nascar News May 08

Truckers Connection

5/2/2008

Schedule

May 3
Crown Royal Presents “Your Name Here 400”
Richmond International Raceway

May 10
Dodge Challenger 500
Darlington Raceway

May 17
NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
Lowe’s Motor Speedway

May 25
Coca-Cola 500
Lowe’s Motor Speedway

Old School Meets New School

Check out the throwback paint scheme Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be sporting for the May 10 race at Darlington Raceway. To kick off Mountain Dew’s “Old School New School” promotion, Jr. will be cruising in the #88 Mountain Dew AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet that’s dressed up to look like the paint scheme as it was when driven by Darrell Waltrip in 1981 and 1982.

The soft drink co is hosting an “Old School New School” promotion that will give its customers the opportunity to win “Cars, Kicks and More.” Participants in the promo will be able to choose which “school” they prefer--old or new—and receive either new or retro prizes like a 2009 Corvette or a vintage Corvette, an old-style arcade game or an Xbox plus much more. Learn more about Mountain Dew’s promotion at www.oldschoolornew.com.

Of the old style paint scheme for Darlington, Earnhardt commented: “I’m so excited about this paint scheme. To run a paint scheme like the Mountain Dew one is a tribute to the history of the sport and the heritage at Darlington. I can’t wait to see how the car looks on the track because it looks awesome on paper.”

DLP to Stay With Hall of Fame Racing and Yeley

As primary sponsor of the #96 car since its inception in 2006, DLP HDTV says it has “been extremely pleased.” Evidently. Pleased enough to remain through the end of the 2009 season. Says Dave Duncan, sponsorship marketing manager for DLP Products, Texas Instruments: “We’ve seen a great return on our investment since 2006, including increased exposure, brand awareness and sales for the DLP brand.” The #96 Toyota is piloted by J.J. Yeley in the Sprint Cup Series.

Golf Comes To NASCAR; charities benefit

Speedway Motorsports Inc (SMI) has dreams of bringing a Nationwide Tour golf event to Charlotte either the weekend before or after the company’s NASCAR events at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in October 2009. SMI’s Speedway Children’s Charities would benefit from the event, says Marcus Smith, SMI’s executive vice president for national sales and marketing. Smith is in discussions with the PGA Tour and Charlotte-area golf courses to plan the event.

“It’s still in the very early stages, but we’re excited about the possibility of some extra festivities around that weekend and also the chance to raise money for charity,” Smith said. “We’ve had a number of discussions with the PGA Tour and they seem very supportive.”

This is believed to be a first for bringing a NASCAR event and a golf event together. FedEx, the primary sponsor of the PGA Tour’s season long points competition, is a sponsor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series with Joe Gibbs Racing. The company has utilized two golf-themed paint schemes in races previously.