Sprint Cup - Armored AutoGroup Announces Multi-Year Deal With TSR

CONCORD, Nov. 2, 2012: Today Armored AutoGroup announced a multi-year sponsorship extension with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) in the World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Car Series that will carry the partnership through 2013 and beyond.

Armored AutoGroup’s STP brand, one of the most recognized in motorsports, will continue to serve as the primary sponsor of four-time WoO champion Donny Schatz and the No. 15 J&J Sprint Car he pilots. The company’s Armor All brand will maintain its role as an associate sponsor.

Schatz, who will clinch his fifth WoO championship by making a qualifying lap tonight during the season-ending World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, has carried both brands on his No. 15 machine since joining TSR following the 2007 WoO season.

The sponsorship extension further demonstrates Armored AutoGroup’s commitment to showcasing STP’s “power and performance” through its partnerships with successful drivers and teams, ensuring that the familiar red and blue colors of STP remain a victory lane mainstay.

“Everyone at STP is proud to continue our relationship with Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart Racing,” said Jamie Kistner, senior brand manager of STP. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of the success he has attained over the last five years, and we look forward to seeing what next year holds.”

“We’re excited to build on STP’s rich racing heritage with such a strong community as the World of Outlaws. When you’re winning races like Donny did at the Knoxville Nationals, it provides a great opportunity to engage fans and tell the STP story.”

After winning consecutive WoO titles driving for his family-owned team in 2006 and 2007, Schatz left for TSR in 2008. He made his first season driving the No. 15 Armor All ride a memorable one by earning his third straight championship. In 2009 at the Knoxville (Iowa) Nationals, Schatz drove a special-schemed STP machine that celebrated Mario Andretti’s 1969 Indianapolis 500 winning car to victory. It was Schatz’s fourth straight Knoxville Nationals triumph, and just over two months later, he earned his fourth consecutive WoO title in Charlotte. After back-to-back runner-up finishes in the WoO standings in 2010 and 2011, Schatz has returned to championship form in 2012 by winning 11 times, including his sixth Knoxville Nationals title and his fifth Williams Grove National Open victory.

“It’s been a huge honor to continue the history STP has in motorsports,” Schatz said. “We’ve had the privilege of working with Armor All and STP these last few years and have been involved in a number of great promotions with fans that share our passion for racing. It’s been a lot of fun, and we’re going to work as hard as we can to continue adding to the STP legacy.”

The partnership continues a terrific relationship between Armored AutoGroup and TSR, as TSR’s reach stretches from the WoO with Schatz and his teammate, 20-time WoO champion Steve Kinser, to the United States Auto Club (USAC) and TSR drivers Levi Jones, a seven-time USAC champion, and Bobby East, who recently earned the 2012 TRAXXAS USAC Silver Crown Series championship.

“We have a tremendous short-track program and it wouldn’t be possible without partners like Armored AutoGroup and their STP and Armor All brands,” said Stewart, who has earned a total of 15 owner championships in the WoO and USAC series since 2001. “The relationship has been a perfect combination – seeing a brand with such strong racing ties matched up with a driver that is on top of the sport right now. I’m so proud of Donny and our team, and I’m looking forward to seeing them knock down more wins and championships with STP in the future.”