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Pennzoil Increases NHRA Involvement with Houston Sponsorship

11 March 1998

GLENDORA, Calif. -- The Pennzoil Company has increased its involvement with NHRA Winston Drag Racing by becoming the title sponsor for the March 19-22 national event at Houston Raceway Park, NHRA officials announced recently. The event, fourth of 22 in the $30-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series, has been titled the Pennzoil Nationals presented by HiLo/O'Reilly Auto Parts.

"We are tremendously excited about the opportunity to be the title sponsor for such a huge event as the NHRA Nationals," said Thomas E. Floyd, chief marketing officer for Pennzoil. "To get the opportunity to do that here in the Houston area, however, is especially exciting, since Pennzoil is headquartered in Houston. We'll be helping to present the race not only to our customers, but also to many of our Pennzoil friends."

The race is the third NHRA national event of the 1998 season to be sponsored by Pennzoil. Others include the fourth annual Pennzoil Nationals presented by Trak Auto, April 23-26, at Virginia Motorsports Park, Richmond, Va. and the 11th annual Pennzoil Nationals presented by AutoZone, Oct. 8- 11 at Memphis Motorsports Park, Memphis, Tenn.

Pennzoil was also the presenting sponsor at the season-opening 38th annual Chief Auto Parts Winternationals, Pomona, Calif. The company is also a major NHRA contingency sponsor.

"It's gratifying to see Pennzoil continue to expand their presence in NHRA Winston Drag Racing," said NHRA President Dallas Gardner. "They have certainly demonstrated their ability to effectively utilize NHRA's programs as part of their marketing direction. With HiLo Automotive and O'Reilly's Automotive joining forces with Pennzoil, we are introducing two new sponsors into our sport, and we welcome them both to the NHRA family. This alliance certainly bodes well for the Houston event, which has already become one of the NHRA Winston marquee events on the tour. Pennzoil has played a significant role with the promotion and exposure they continue to create for us. They are a great partner in growing our fan base."

In addition, Pennzoil is the primary sponsor for Eddie Hill's Top Fuel dragster, and Gumout, a Pennzoil brand, is the primary sponsor on Mike Thomas' Pontiac Firebird Pro Stock entry.

Pennzoil Products Company, maker of Pennzoil brand motor oils, markets and sells motor oil, gear oil, transmission fluid, greases and a wide range of other automotive products to consumer and industrial markets.