NASCAR, Whelen Extend Relationship
Extends Sponsorship To 2019 For NASCAR Modified Tour, NASCAR Southern Modified Tour And NASCAR All-American Series
Daytona Beach, FL — The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and Whelen Engineering, Inc., have announced an extension that will see Whelen remain as the entitlement sponsor for three of NASCAR’s developmental series through the 2019 racing season.
“During the last five seasons, Whelen has been an invaluable partner for NASCAR in advancing both grassroots racing and key regional tours,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR managing director of racing operations. “The commitment that Whelen has made to the future of these series is unprecedented, and it is a partnership that will continue to flourish for many years to come.”
The extension means Whelen, which became an entitlement sponsor in 2004, is the longest running current entitlement contract for any of NASCAR’s series.
“Whelen understands the value of short track racing, both to the future of NASCAR and the fan. Short track racing is the foundation of NASCAR and it provides affordable and exciting entertainment for racing fans of all ages in their local neighborhoods,” said Phil Kurze, Whelen vice president for motorsports. “Whelen is proud to be associated with local short track racing and the Modified Tours and as long as fans continue to support Whelen we will continue to support the most entertaining racing in all of motorsports. NASCAR short track racing has a friend and a sponsor for the decade.”
The NASCAR Whelen Modified and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tours are the only two open-wheel series under the NASCAR banner. The Whelen Modified Tour traces its roots back to the very first NASCAR race, held in Daytona Beach, Fla. in 1948. Many of the early NASCAR race cars were “modified” and the division evolved from there. Today, these unique race cars remain wildly popular along the Eastern Seaboard. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour competes primarily in the Northeast while the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour races throughout the Southern states.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is comprised of a network of more than 50 race tracks across North America. NASCAR-sanctioned short track races are held on dirt and asphalt tracks of all shapes and sizes. A national championship is awarded, along with U.S. state and Canadian province championships, rookies of the year, and track championships.
Whelen Engineering is the leading manufacturer of automotive, aviation, industrial and public emergency lighting and warning systems, including the caution lights on the track and pace cars at all levels of NASCAR events. Whelen has plants in Chester, Conn., and Charlestown, N.H., and is the only U.S. manufacturer of emergency warning equipment to still produce its products entirely in the United States.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tours have expanded television coverage in 2010. SPEED and VERSUS will combine to broadcast 16 races, highlighted by a same-day broadcast of the combination race between the two Tours at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway on Aug. 18 by SPEED.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will open its 2010 season opens this weekend at Thompson. Activities for the Icebreaker will begin with practice and qualifying on Saturday, April 10 and the 150-lap race is slated for Sunday, April 11.
Sources: NASCAR PR.