From the Kentucky Speedway

LAS VEGAS (April 2011) – Quaker State, the racing oil that has enjoyed an unprecedented level of success under the hood of Hendrick Motorsports cars, announced March 6 it will be the title sponsor of the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Kentucky Speedway. The Quaker State 400 will be held at the first new track on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule since 2001.

Photo provided From left, Marcus Smith COO and President of SMI, Quaker State GM of Business to Consumer Sales Steve Reindl, Mark Simendinger, General Manager of Kentucky Speedway, and driver Mark Martin announce the company's sponsorship of the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, coming July 9 at Sparta, Ky. The announcement took place March 6 in Las Vegas.

“The entire Quaker State team is very excited to be a part of this historic moment for NASCAR and Kentucky Speedway,” said Chris Hayek, Quaker State Global Brand Manager. “We are very happy to be involved with what is sure to be a great race.”
Quaker State will drop the green flag at the newly expanded, 117,000-capacity Speedway Motorsports Inc. facility at 7:30 p.m. on July 9. The 400-mile event will conclude a tripleheader NASCAR weekend that opens with a 225-mile Camping World Truck Series battle on July 7 and spotlights a 300-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series event on July 8.
“Our Quaker State sponsorship will ideally blend the brand’s Sprint Cup Series past and present. Quaker State is among the most recognizable brands in motorsports and we’re proud to be a new part of its rich NASCAR heritage,” Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger said.

• Fans can be a part of NASCAR and Kentucky Speedway history by reserving race tickets at www.kentuckyspeedway.com or call 1-888-652-7223.

College to sponsor October Truck Series race
 
The University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) will bring its motorsports industry expertise to Kentucky Speedway Oct. 1 when the entrepreneurial, not-for-profit institution serves as the title sponsor of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) “UNOH 225.”

Photo courtesy of John Perkins Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger (left) on March 24, escorts Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear on a tour of the facility. Recent upgrades have been made in anticipation of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on July 9.

Located in Lima, Ohio, UNOH grants master's, baccalaureate, and associate degrees through its Colleges of Technologies, Business, and Distance Learning. The College of Technologies prepares students for careers in the motorsports and automotive industry through specialized Automotive, High Performance Motorsports, Diesel, and Alternate Fuels programs.
The UNOH College of Technologies has built a storied racing history through its involvement in the ARCA Racing Series, NASCAR National Series, and events such as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour UNOH Perfect Storm 150 contested at the Bristol Motor Speedway, in addition to the UNOH Southern Slam 150 held at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“UNOH is very proud to add the UNOH 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck race and Kentucky Speedway to our list of sponsored events for 2011”, Dr. Jeffrey A. Jarvis, President of the University of Northwestern Ohio said. “Our relationship with the SMI (Speedway Motorsports, Inc.) tracks we have worked with to date has been everything we could hope for and we have every confidence that our new relationship with Kentucky Speedway and its management team will continue to promote our institution and our curriculum in a positive manner. We are looking forward to a great weekend of racing at Kentucky in October.” 
UNOH will receive multiple promotional considerations under the undisclosed terms of the entitlement agreement.
“UNOH and its alumni embody the tough spirit of NCWTS competition. UNOH programs strengthen the motorsports industry core and we’re pleased to be able to forward the university mission and help it attract new students when we play host to the 13th NCWTS event in our history Oct. 1,” Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger said.
The “UNOH 225” will open Kentucky Speedway’s second and final event weekend of 2011 with an 8:00 p.m. start. Racing will continue Oct. 2 with an open-wheel doubleheader featuring a 300-mile IZOD IndyCar Series event and a 100-mile Firestone Indy Lights sprint.