NHRA Sells Naming Rights to Gainesville Raceway
NHRA announced Feb. 16, that Uni-Select USA and its Auto-Plus network of automotive retail stores have acquired the naming rights to the NHRA-owned and -operated drag racing facility in Gainesville, Florida.
Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville will host the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NAPAFilters.com Mar. 8-11, the third stop in the 23-race NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. One of NHRA’s “major” events, the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NAPAFilters.com serves as the East Coast opener for the series featuring Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and the season-opener for Pro Stock Motorcycle.
In 2012, NHRA will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the sport’s first 300 mph pass, which took place at the historic track in 1992. Making a special appearance at the event to commemorate the feat considered by many as the one of the greatest accomplishments in the sport will be NHRA legend and the first driver to go 300 mph, Kenny Bernstein.
Besides holding naming rights to Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville, the company also serves as title-rights sponsor of the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa., and is the official auto parts store of Atlanta Dragway, also an NHRA owned and operated facility, and Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
“In a short period of time, Uni-Select USA and its Auto-Plus brand have truly embraced the value of association with NHRA,” said John Siragusa, senior director of sales and business development, NHRA.
The naming rights sponsorship affords Auto-Plus with significant signage at the historic facility, which has hosted an NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event for 42 years, as well as hospitality privileges for business associates and customers. For all the exciting events scheduled at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville, log on to www.autoplusraceway.com.
“Our strategic relationship with NHRA exceeded our expectations in 2011,” said Brent Windom, Uni-Select vice president North American Marketing and Product Development. “NHRA fans are incredibly loyal to companies that build their brand through drag racing, and our sponsorships help us strengthen our relationships with professional technicians and DIYers across the country. Gainesville Raceway is one of NHRA’s leading facilities, and we are pleased to announce this long-term agreement.”
