At a press conference at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville, Auto-Plus Senior Director of Marketing Mike Buzzard, left, was joined by new company spokesperson Matt Hagan, NHRA's Gary Darcy, and Auto-Plus Raceway General Manager Don Robertson to discuss the company's new initiatives.

Uni-Select USA and its network of automotive stores and services, including Auto-Plus retailers and Auto Service Plus centers, have expanded their NHRA Drag Racing involvement in 2012.

Auto-Plus stores, with more than 900 corporate and independent privately owned locations, developed an alliance with NHRA in 2011, including the title-rights sponsorship of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event in Reading, the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the expansion of our partnership with NHRA,” said Brent Windom, vice president North American Marketing and Product Management for Uni-Select. “Our growth in participation with NHRA saw more 4,000 customers attending our events last year. We are excited about the value and the connection that NHRA has brought to the Uni-Select network, and we are looking for more opportunities and growth in the years to come.”

In 2012, Auto-Plus continues its partnership with NHRA and the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, set for Oct. 4-7 at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading as part of the Countdown to the Championship.

In addition, Auto-Plus has acquired the naming rights of the famed Gainesville racing facility now known as Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville, host of the 43rd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals this weekend, March 8-11. 

“Our support of the legendary Gainesville Raceway, host track of the famed NHRA Gatornationals, is the latest entry into a key market of Florida,” said Windom.

This year, Auto-Plus will serve as the official auto-parts store for the NHRA Full Throttle races at Atlanta Dragway May 4-6 and Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk July 5-8.

It also was announced that reigning NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car champion Matt Hagan will serve as the North American spokesperson for one of the leading auto-parts retailers.

“I am very excited to form a partnership with Uni-Select and its Auto-Plus brand,” said Hagan, who started his racing career as a teenager and quickly established himself in the Pro Mod class. “Auto-Plus is a leader in auto parts. My Funny Car team is a leader on the track. Both know how to handle the proper needs whether on the street or on the track. Auto-Plus has the Smartest Parts Counter You’ll Encounter. I look forward to a great relationship with Auto-Plus.”

“Auto-Plus is extremely excited to have the current NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car champion, Matt Hagan, as its spokeperson,” said Windom. “Having a champion like Matt gives Auto-Plus tremendous credibility with the racing fans who purchase and repair their vehicles. Matt is a leader on the track just as Auto-Plus is a leader in automotive parts.”

In addition to the Auto-Plus NHRA partnerships, Uni-Select has announced a strategic alliance with Funny Car driver Blake Alexander and the Paul Smith Racing team at nine key NHRA events in 2012 with its Auto Service Plus and SAX brand. Auto Service Plus and SAX programs support more than 1,700 shops across the United States.