NASCAR Ushers in Era of Camping World Series
NASCAR Welcomes Camping World As News Series Sponsor
Daytona Beach, FL — The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced today that Camping World, the country’s largest RV and outdoor retailer, will become the title sponsor for NASCAR Camping World Series beginning in 2008, entitling NASCAR’s top developmental series – the long-standing Grand National Division, East and West Series.
Over the years, this series has helped launch the careers of many future NASCAR stars, including current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standouts Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex, Jr., and David Gilliland, along with two-time championship crew chief Greg Zipadelli. As the new title sponsor, Camping World looks to continue the tradition of developing talented young drivers that aspire to go on and excel in the highest levels of NASCAR racing. Recent enhancements to the series included a schedule with an expanded geographic reach, new competition and cost-containment initiatives such as the new “spec engine” and composite body, and a lowered age-limit to 16 for drivers.
“NASCAR’s developmental series are critical to the future of the sport and Camping World’s participation and commitment is a key to the success of every short track competitor and operator,” said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “Camping World is the right sponsor at the right time, providing a national banner over our important developmental tours and the NASCAR stars of tomorrow.”
The NASCAR Camping World Series features cars similar in design and appearance to those cars competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The East Series races in key markets in the northeast, along the Atlantic seaboard, and as far west as Iowa. The West Series features events along the Pacific coast, and several western states, reaching as far east as Iowa, where the two separate series meet for a combined event in May. Both series run at a challenging combination of short tracks, intermediates, road courses, and speedways, with a number of races held in combination with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events.
Camping World currently has extensive involvement in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. It has a primary sponsorship relationship with Kevin Harvick Inc., the race team owned by the former West Series champion and current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star. Camping World’s sponsorship with KHI includes primary sponsorship for NASCAR Nationwide Series entries, as well as 19 races as primary sponsor for the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr., a former West Series runner-up.
“Camping World has done a great job raising the level of awareness of their brand through their involvement with their NASCAR sponsorships,” Harvick said. “Fans in RVs travel hundreds of thousands of miles each year to attend races all over the country and they are certainly passionate about the sport of racing. I think it’s a natural fit.”
“I think it’s great that Camping World is getting more involved in the sport,” Hornaday said. “For them to partner with NASCAR to form the Camping World Series is exciting news. Since I raced in the West series earlier in my career and have sponsorship from Camping World now at KHI, I think they will do great things for our sport. This is a great series that has produced some really good drivers over the years.”
In addition, Camping World has a primary NASCAR Nationwide Series sponsorship relationship with Richard Childress Racing, and race sponsorship with three NASCAR Nationwide Series events (Daytona, New Hampshire and California).
About Camping World
Camping World is America’s largest RV and outdoor retailer serving a brisk and growing demand for the RV lifestyle. After having successfully co-located for several years at selected locations, FreedomRoads, a dynamic national network of well-established local and regional RV dealerships and Camping World, America’s largest direct marketer and specialty retailer of RV and outdoor camping accessories, service and RV sales, joined together to provide consumers with greater choice, convenience and value. Today, with revenues exceeding $1.7 billion, the company serves RV enthusiasts with more than 130 retail locations. For more information, visit www.campingworld.com.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR), which began in 1948, is the sanctioning body for one of America’s premier sports. NASCAR is the No. 1 spectator sport – holding 17 of the top 20 attended sporting events in the U.S. – and the No. 2 rated regular-season sport on television with broadcasts in more than 100 countries. NASCAR fans are the most brand loyal in all of sports, and as a result more Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport.
About NASCAR Camping World Series
The NASCAR Camping World Series is the top level of the NASCAR Developmental Series and is made up of two regional tours, the East and West, competing with identical race cars. The cars are similar in appearance and design to those cars used in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The cars are powered by 350 to 358 cubic-inch V-8 engines. The series travels to many of NASCAR’s most historic short tracks as well as making several appearances in combination events with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Sources: Jason Christley/NASCAR PR