The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

NHRA: Castrol to Sponsor Lone Star Nationals at Dallas

16 April 1998

GLENDORA, Calif. -- Castrol Motor Oil Corporation of North America has reached a multi-year agreement with the National Hot Rod Association to sponsor the upcoming Lone Star Nationals at the Texas Motorplex, NHRA President Dallas Gardner announced.

The second annual Castrol Lone Star Nationals presented by HiLo/O'Reilly Auto Parts is scheduled for April 30-May 3 at the Motorplex, a state-of-the-art quarter-mile facility located in Ennis, Texas, just outside Dallas. The $1.6-million race is the seventh of 22 events in the $30-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series in 1998.

"We're pleased to be coming to one of the top markets in the United States and the top race track on the circuit," said John Howell, Castrol Motorsports Manager. "We have represented one of the top teams for many years in drag racing and have had a great partnership with NHRA dating back to the early 80s. While John Force and his organization have provided a strong presence for Castrol in drag racing over the years, we felt kind of empty without an event. We are glad to be able to develop a business relationship with HiLo/O'Reilly and return to the event arena. We feel like this is the most effective form of sponsorship when you can partner with a local business and market directly."

It is the first NHRA event sponsorship for Castrol since 1989, when the company completed multi-year sponsorship programs at NHRA national events at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix and Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa.

"It's rewarding to see Castrol step back into the title role at an NHRA Winston national event," Gardner said. "Castrol has been one of the largest supporters of NHRA and drag racing over the past decade and with this new event, coupled with their program with John Force, makes a very strong statement in support of our program."

The Castrol Lone Star Nationals presented by HiLo/O'Reilly Auto Parts is the first of two NHRA national events to be featured at the Texas Motorplex in 1998. The 13th annual Revell Nationals will be held there Oct. 22-25.

"This is great for the growth of the Lone Star Nationals," said Billy Meyer, Texas Motorplex owner and president. "We're extremely excited that Castrol is a major portion of this title right package. We go back a long way and they have been involved with us at the Motorplex since its inception. At the same time we are also pleased to tie HiLo/O'Reilly Auto Parts into the sponsorship, because it's extremely important for the Motorplex to be linked with a premier retail outlet."

In addition to their title sponsorship of the Castrol Lone Star Nationals presented by HiLo/O'Reilly Auto Parts, Castrol also sponsors seven-time NHRA Winston Funny Car champion John Force, Force teammate Tony Pedregon and Competition Eliminator racer Rob Slavinski. The company also sponsors the Castrol 4-Second Club for Funny Cars.

Presenting sponsor HiLo/O'Reilly Auto Parts made their NHRA sponsorship debut as a presenting sponsor at a national event at Houston Raceway Park in late March.