AOL Expands Auto Racing Presence With 2nd Season of NASCAR and ARCA Sponsorships
6 October 1998
Dulles, VA, October 1, 1998 - America Online, the world leader in interactive services and content, announced today its expanded participation in the world of auto racing with a new 1999 season schedule. Not only will AOL will extend its 1998 sponsorships of the AOL NASCAR #40 driven by Damon Lusk in the Featherlite Southwest Series and the AOL ARCA SuperCar #40 driven by Andy Belmont in the ARCA SuperCar race series, but it will add two more notable race series to the list of scheduled stops. AOL has received tremendous exposure to consumers as a result of sponsoring both race teams during the 1998 season. This year, AOL will test the waters in the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series and NASCAR Winston West Series, as well as continuing their programs in the NASCAR Southwest Series and ARCA SuperCar Series. Along with their on-track efforts, AOL will continue its online areas showcasing the two racing teams. At AOL keywords: Andy Belmont and Damon Lusk, racing fans will have access to personal online columns written by the drivers, race information, stats, and trivia. "AOL's goal is to reach out to the millions of consumers who have yet to discover the magic of the online medium. Our company is excited about the opportunity to race in all four corners of the U.S. in 1999 and introduce our brand to the growing audience of racing fans," said Eddie Leonard, Vice President of Brand Marketing for America Online. Andy Belmont is currently in sixth place in the ARCA SuperCar Series. He is second in the rookie of the year battle and has two second place finishes to his credit this season. Andy is still looking for that elusive first career ARCA victory. Damon Lusk, a sophomore in the NASCAR Northwest Series during 1998, was selected by Mark IV Motorsports to drive the AOL #40 for the balance of 1998 and throughout the 1999 season. During his tenure in the Northwest Series, Damon was second fast qualifier three times, chalking up four top five finishes and seven top ten finishes in only 15 starts. America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the world's leader in branded interactive services and content. America Online, Inc. operates two worldwide Internet online services: America Online, with more than 13 million members; and CompuServe, with approximately 2 million members. America Online, Inc. also operates AOL Studios, the world's leading creator of original interactive content. Other branded Internet services operated by America Online, Inc. include AOL.COM, the world's most accessed Web site from home; Digital City, Inc., the #1 branded local content network and community guide on AOL and the Internet; AOL NetFind, AOL's comprehensive guide to the Internet; AOL Instant Messenger, an instant messaging tool available on both AOL and the Internet; and ICQ, an instant communications and chat technology on the Internet.
