DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Camping World has become the title sponsor for the NASCAR Grand National Division East and West series. Beginning in 2008, the series will be known as the NASCAR Camping World Series.
Over the years, this series has helped launch the careers of many future NASCAR stars, including current NASCAR Nextel Cup Series standouts Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex, Jr., and David Gilliland, along with two-time championship crew chief Greg Zipadelli.
As the new title sponsor, Camping World looks to continue the tradition of developing talented young drivers that aspire to go on and excel in the highest levels of NASCAR racing. Recent enhancements to the series included a schedule with an expanded geographic reach, new competition and cost-containment initiatives such as the new “spec engine” and composite body, and a lowered age-limit to 16 for drivers.
“NASCAR’s developmental series are critical to the future of the sport and Camping World’s participation and commitment is a key to the success of every short-track competitor and operator,” said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “Camping World is the right sponsor at the right time, providing a national banner over our important developmental tours and the NASCAR stars of tomorrow.”
The NASCAR Camping World Series features cars similar in design and appearance to those cars competing in the NASCAR Busch Series. The East Series races in key markets in the northeast, along the Atlantic seaboard, and as far west as Iowa. The West Series features events along the Pacific coast and several western states, reaching as far east as Iowa, where the two separate series meet for a combined event in May.
“NASCAR’s developmental series has a rich history of drivers, race tracks and fans, and we are pleased with our new role as the series sponsor during its re-launch,” said Marcus Lemonis, chairman and CEO of Camping World. “We intend to use our resources to promote and support these types of family activities in which our products are used. We were attracted to this opportunity in order to help establish an affordable venue for both the spectator family and the competitor.”
Camping World has extensive involvement in the NASCAR Busch Series. It has a primary sponsorship relationship with Kevin Harvick, Inc., the team owned by DeLana Harvick, wife of Nextel Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick.