NHRA News: CARQUEST named title sponsor of 45th annual Winternationals (10/27/2004)

CARQUEST named title sponsor of 45th annual Winternationals

10/27/2004

CARQUEST Auto Parts, a Raleigh, N.C.-based company specializing in quality auto parts and equipment with stores throughout North America, has signed a multi-year agreement starting in 2005 to become the title sponsor of the 45th annual Winternationals at Pomona Raceway, it was announced by NHRA officials.

The CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals, the second longest running event on the NHRA tour, will kick off the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season, Feb. 10-13 at historic Pomona Raceway. The $2 million race, which will be televised by the ESPN family of networks, is the first of 23 events on the 2005 POWERade Drag Racing Series.

"The Winternationals will be celebrating its 45th anniversary and it is one of the most prestigious events on the circuit," said Scott Ginsburg, CARQUEST Director of Advertising. "We are extremely proud to put the CARQUEST name on such a great event. What a great way to start the 2005 NHRA season."

It is the first of three NHRA event sponsorships for CARQUEST Auto Parts, who also headline the CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., June 9-12, as well as the CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Seattle, July 22-24.

"The Winternationals has such a storied history and CARQUEST is the perfect partner to ensure that the tradition of the Winternationals will be held to its highest standard," said John Covarrubias, NHRA vice president of sales and business development. "We are pleased that CARQUEST has decided to increase their presence with NHRA POWERade Drag Racing and they see the value of NHRA event sponsorship as part of their marketing strategy."

CARQUEST, committed to providing auto parts and services of the highest quality and greatest value to its customers, began in 1974 with 100 auto parts stores. Today there are more than 3,600 stores serving North America. CARQUEST supplies the professional automotive service repair industry with replacement parts, tools and equipment. CARQUEST auto parts also are available to motorists who choose to do their own repairs although due to the advanced technology in today's automotive vehicles, it is CARQUEST's recommendation that repairs be done by professional automotive service technicians.

Any CARQUEST Auto Parts Store will be happy to recommend qualified repair centers. For the location of the CARQUEST Auto Parts Stores nearest you, call (800) 492-PART, or use the online store locator at www.CARQUEST.com.

Originally opened as a way to encourage street racers to compete safely, Pomona Raceway was built with the combined efforts of the Pomona Valley Timing Association, Pomona Police Chief Ralph Parker and the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds. Through fundraisers, these three entities opened the track that began as a dirt parking lot with an asphalt strip down the middle.

Today Pomona Raceway plays host to two of the NHRA POWERade events, as the season begins and ends at Pomona. The CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals opens the season Feb. 10-13 and the Automobile Club of Southern California Finals closes the 2005 season Nov. 3-6.

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