Pennzoil Extends World of Outlaws' Title Sponsorship

Pennzoil Extends World of Outlaws' Title Sponsorship By Richard Day HOUSTON, TX (January 22) - The makers of Pennzoil motor oil and Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series management announced Friday that Pennzoil will extend its title sponsorship of the sprint car racing series into the next millennium. Pennzoil became the series' sponsor in 1997, and its previous contract with the World of Outlaws was due to expire at the end of 1999. Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series President Ted Johnson expressed his excitement concerning the extension. "We're thrilled to have Pennzoil continue its relationship with the World of Outlaws," Johnson said. "We have enjoyed incredible growth since Pennzoil joined us two years ago, and much of that is due to their support. The tremendous exposure we get on TNN Motorsports and on the Internet has helped make Pennzoil synonymous with our series." Tom Floyd, senior vice president of lubricants for Pennzoil-Quaker State Company, is equally pleased that Pennzoil and the World of Outlaws will continue their relationship until 2002. "We have been very pleased with our relationship with the World of Outlaws," Floyd said. "The series allows us to take the Pennzoil brand to an important grass roots audience and ties in with our rich racing heritage. The World of Outlaws is a great marketing tool for us, and we're pleased to continue as the series' title sponsor." The three-year extension of more than $4 million will aid the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series as it continues to reward sprint car racing's best drivers and bring new teams into the series. Johnson said the point fund will be eclipse the $1 million mark by the year 2000. The agreement provides Pennzoil with exclusive title sponsorship of all World of Outlaws events, corporate signage, product exclusivity and television identification, which includes live events on TNN Motorsports. Further commenting on the agreement, Floyd said the World of Outlaws is becoming a major player in motorsports. "It's the fifth- largest racing series in North America, and we see Pennzoil's involvement as the ideal way - through national television coverage and on-track promotion - to reach our customers. Race fans are loyal customers, and we like to give something back to them when we can." The Pennzoil brand started appearing at race tracks in 1930, with the sponsorship of then-Indy 500 driver Russell Showberger. Today, Pennzoil is the official motor oil of the Indianapolis 500, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League. In addition, Pennzoil sponsors drivers in the IRL, NASCAR and the NHRA. Pennzoil Motor Oils are manufactured by Pennzoil-Quaker State Company, a leading automotive consumer products company. Pennzoil- Quaker State markets premium quality lubricants and some 1,300 other car care products, and is the parent company of Jiffy Lube International, Inc., the world's largest franchisor of fast oil change centers.

WoO