ORLANDO, Fla. — The World Racing Group finally found a title sponsor for the World of Outlaws sprint-car series, and found it in an old friend.
After 10 years sponsoring the Super DIRT Series for big-block modifieds, another property of the World Racing Group, Advance Auto Parts is expanding its involvement in dirt track racing to become the sponsor of the now renamed Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series.
Advance Auto Parts will continue to support the Super DIRT Series and will also be the official parts store of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.
“It’s the biggest day in the company’s history,” said World Racing Group Chief Financial Officer Brian Carter. “It’s the first time since Boundless and DIRT MotorSports and the World Racing Group that the World of Outlaws sprint cars have had a title sponsor.”
The contract is a multi-year variety, but according to Carter includes provisions on both sides that may allow for the value of the sponsorship to increase, decrease or be dissolved in its entirety.
“It is a serious financial burden off of them,” said two-time defending series champion Donny Schatz. “They have run this series out of their pocket for the last several years. To have a title sponsor, they’ve shown everybody what they can do for them and how they can market their product.
“We are going to go out and promote a new auto parts company that indirectly sells our sponsor’s products. It’s a big circle and we all want to help them. It has been difficult to pay an $800,000 point fund without a title sponsor.”
Advance Auto Parts operates 3,228 stores in 40 states.