NHRA News: Lucas Oil becomes title sponsor for NHRA Sportsman Drag Racing Series (02/09/2002)

Lucas Oil becomes title sponsor for NHRA Sportsman Drag Racing Series

02/09/2002

Lucas Oil Products, a worldwide leader in the production of oils, greases and additives, has signed a multi-year agreement with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to sponsor the NHRA Sportsman Drag Racing Series, it was announced today by NHRA President Tom Compton during a press conference at Pomona Raceway.

Forrest Lucas, left, president and CEO of Lucas Oil Products, and NHRA President Tom Compton shook hands after signing the contract for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

In 2002, the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will feature competition at 45 divisional events and 23 national events for up to eight classes of competition, including the premier categories -- Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car. Other featured categories include Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street.

In addition, Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car competitors will compete at 16 NHRA national events, which will be televised on ESPN2 through 16 one-hour telecasts.

"We are pleased to announce that Lucas Oil has increased its involvement in NHRA Drag Racing by becoming the title sponsor of the premier sportsman series in all of drag racing," said Compton. "The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series represents the heart of NHRA competition, providing entry level opportunities to develop the stars of tomorrow for our professional categories."

Competitors in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will compete for more than $560,000 in year-end champion's bonuses, including $37,500 each for national champions in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car. Divisional champions in those two categories from each of NHRA's seven geographical regions will earn $8,500.

Also taking part in the signing ceremonies were, from left, NHRA Vice President-Marketing Gary Darcy, NHRA Vice President-Sales & Business Development Bob Wagner, Director of New Business Development John Siragusa, Lucas Oil's Don Corsette and Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, NHRA Senior Vice President-Business Operations, and Compton.

"We're excited to become the title sponsor for NHRA's sportsman series and support the grassroots racers who are the very foundation of the NHRA," said Forrest Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Oil Products. "Some of the most thrilling competition will be featured in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. When I was approached with this opportunity by the folks at NHRA I immediately knew it was the perfect fit for our worldwide marketing strategy at Lucas Oil. ESPN's coverage of these events can be seen by our overseas customers and our employees."

In addition, the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series features bonus money for competitors through $220,500 in Sealed Power Low Qualifier Awards and the $100,000 Jeg's Allstars, a special event for the best drivers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

The commitment increases Lucas Oil's total involvement in NHRA Drag Racing. The company also is the primary sponsor for John Lawson's Pontiac Firebird Funny Car and is an associate sponsor for Kenny Bernstein's Top Fuel dragster, as well as several other professional category competitors. Lucas Oil also sponsors the NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle and provides primary sponsorship for several Super Comp cars, including Morgan Lucas and Tom Bayer. In addition, Lucas Oil funds the Chevy Camaro Top Alcohol Funny Car driven by Jason Rupert.

Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and problem solving additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top selling additive line in the American truck stop industry.

Return to 2002 News Archive
Return to the Home Page