IRP Announces New Kroger Speedfest Presenting Sponsors
8 July 1997
NEW KROGER SPEEDFEST PRESENTING SPONSORS JOIN IRP FAMILY, CALL MOTORSPORTS SPONSORSHIP "GOOD BUSINESS SENSE" FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE INDIANAPOLIS (July 7, 1997) -- Indianapolis Raceway Park has announced the addition of presenting sponsors for each of the three Kroger Speedfest races, July 30-August 1, 1997. IRP's new sponsorship partners include Automotive Color & Supply, the Indiana Dodge Dealers and Ziploc. Joining primary sponsor DuPont at the DuPont 100 USAC Silver Crown Series event July 30 is Automotive Color & Supply, a Ft. Wayne-based subsidiary of DuPont. According to AC&S Corporate Sales Manager Tom Mitchell, IRP has been a good venue for AC&S advertising for several years. "Many of our customers are loyal race fans, and given our position as one of the largest automotive finish distributors in the Midwest, our sponsorship of a race at IRP is a good fit for promoting our products," he said. In addition to it's DuPont 100 sponsorship, AC&S has supported race teams at IRP throughout the 1997 season with the Automotive Color & Supply Best Appearing Team Award. The $500 award is presented to the team with the best overall appearance, based on the car's paint scheme plus driver and crew uniforms. The award is presented at each of the six televised USAC open-wheel events at IRP. The second annual Cummins 200 will be presented by the Indiana Dodge Dealers this year. The July 31 race, part of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, will feature drivers such as Ron Hornaday, Indianapolis native Kenny Irwin, Jr. and Jimmy Hensley, driver of the Richard Petty-owned Cummins Dodge truck. "There is no doubt that truck racing has fan appeal -- it's fast and exciting," said Lou Patane, executive director of motorsports operations for Dodge. "Racing trucks is a great idea since they dominate a large segment of the marketplace. Chrysler returned to NASCAR racing through it's subsidiary Dodge because it is one of the most competitive racing arenas in the world, and it fits with our philosophy and strategy. We race what we sell." The Indiana Dodge Dealers' partnership with Cummins on the race is also appropriate because Dodge's line of diesel Ram pickup trucks is powered by Cummins-built engines. Kroger Speedfest fury culminates with the 16th Annual Kroger NASCAR 200 presented by Ziploc on August 1. This IRP marquee oval event is NASCAR Busch Grand National Series short-track racing at its best. Maryann Ries, marketing manager for Ziploc's parent company, DowBrands, considers the Kroger NASCAR 200 a great marketing opportunity for Ziploc. "Our involvement with IRP is mutually beneficial for DowBrands and Kroger," she said "The Indianapolis community is important to us because DowBrands' headquarters is located here, and Kroger has a large presence in the area. The brand loyalty among NASCAR fans is a major reason for our involvement with the Kroger NASCAR 200." Kroger Speedfest activities get underway Monday, July 28 at 5 p.m., with a press conference downtown at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, at the intersection of Washington and Illinois streets. Each of the Kroger Speedfest races will be outlined, in addition to introductions of drivers and event sponsors. Motorsports artwork from several nationally-known artists will be on display as well. Good seats are still available for the Kroger Speedfest. Call IRP at (317) 291-4090 for information. CONTACT: Eric Powell or Jennifer Dowd (317) 387-7342
