DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA — Freightliner Trucks announced its official sponsorship of NASCAR at a press conference here on Feb. 17.
The company returns as a 2006 sponsor of individual NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series racing teams and will host a series of pre-race events called The Freightliner Run SmartSM Hauler Challenge.
"Both NASCAR and Freightliner Trucks share a passion for vehicles that push the envelope in terms of performance and efficiency," said Jonathan Randall, director of product marketing for Freightliner Trucks. Randall said the NASCAR sponsorship was a great fit because many heavy-duty truck drivers and buyers are also devoted NASCAR fans.
For the 2006 racing season, Freightliner Trucks will sponsor the following individual NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series teams: Evernham Motorsports; Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI); Penske Racing South; Hendrick Motorsports; Petty Enterprises; Haas CNC Racing; Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabatas; BAM Racing; Akins Motorsports; Rusty Wallace Racing, Inc.; Jr. Motorsports; Fitz-Bradshaw Racing; and Michael Waltrip Racing.
"We have supplied hauler vehicles to these major NASCAR teams for over five years," Randall said. "In addition to all of the great teams we’ve been affiliated with for years, we are also proud to announce our latest team relationship with Dale Earnhardt, Inc."
"The Freightliner brand has a great reputation in the transportation industry and we’re proud to have them as a partner," said Steve Phelps, Vice President of Corporate Marketing for NASCAR. "A small city moves from event to event during the 38-race NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season, and partners like Freightliner keep our sport rolling."
As an associate sponsor of 13 racing teams, the Freightliner Trucks logo will appear on each team’s race car, driver suit, crew uniforms and the heavy-duty transporter vehicles.
