DENSO SPONSORS RACING WORLDWIDE

Denso Corp. is participating in a comprehensive motor sport sponsorship program for the 2008 season. The company will continue to sponsor teams participating in the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1), the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), and FIM Road Racing World Championship (WGP). Denso will also be supporting Toyota Team Sard in the Super GT. In North America, Denso celebrates three years of participation in NASCAR’s exclusive, multi-year Automotive Licensing Program. This program allows the company to carry the NASCAR Performance® brand on its entire line of First Time Fit® fuel pumps. Denso is also continuing to serve as a contingency sponsor for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup and the NASCAR Craftsmen Truck Series. The company’s corporate logo will be prominently displayed on front fenders of all team race vehicles and show cars. “We hope to contribute to the development of motor sports and improve our name recognition through our sponsorships with these motor sport teams,” said Koji Kobayashi, Denso senior managing director responsible for the Corporate Center and Electric Systems Business Group.

STATE WATER HEATERS GOES OFF THE TRACK

State Water Heaters has extended its racing program sponsorship beyond the NASCAR racetrack. The company has been a continued sponsor of No. 66 driver Scott Riggs, but it is now also sponsoring Riggs as a regular guest on “The Late Shift,” a radio program on Sirius Satellite Radio, channel 128. Alongside show hosts Rick Benjamin and Buddy Baker, Riggs provides a driver’s perspective on track conditions, car performance, and insight into the coming race. “The show is a great way for me to connect off the track with State Racing fans,” said Riggs. “I know they are watching on Sundays, but it is exciting to connect with them midweek and feel their support as we prepare for the next race.” For more information, visit www.stateracing.com.

BRYANT PICKS INDY CAR

This is Bryant’s second year as a sponsor of the Andretti Green Racing (AGR) team. Bryant’s logo is displayed on Tony Kanaan’s No. 11 car, uniform, and helmet, as well as crew uniforms, pit equipment, and the transporter. IndyCar Series events provide Bryant with a unique opportunity to reach out to new dealers who might be interested in joining the team. The company supports the league and offers dealers and distributors an opportunity to attend races and support Kanaan and the AGR team in its run for the checkered flag. The sponsorship also helps Bryant reach a large consumer base. The Indy Racing League has a U.S. fan base estimated at 36 million consumers across the top 75 markets and a worldwide TV reach to more than 440 million households in 200 countries. Bryant made its debut in auto racing at the 1958 Indianapolis 500 when Eddie Johnson became the company’s first Indy 500 qualifier. Since then, Bryant has sponsored more than 30 drivers, including Eddie Sachs, Rodger Ward, Janet Guthrie, Sarah Fisher, Scott Brayton, Arie Luyendyk, Al Unser Jr., and Scott Sharp. For more information, visit www.bryant.com.

LENNOX AND PENSKE PARTNER

Lennox Industries sponsors the No. 2 Kurt Busch car of Penske Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. This marks the 11th consecutive year as a Penske sponsor partner. Busch, the 2004 Cup Champion, has captured three wins, 14 top-5, and 28 top-10 finishes since taking the driver’s seat in 2006. Driving is not the only responsibility that Busch has. He also makes multiple appearances at corporate and Lennox dealer functions each year. Lennox has also partnered with Penske Corp. to provide IAQ systems at various Penske properties. In addition, Lennox designed a system to simulate racetrack conditions enabling Penske Racing to achieve peak engine performance. At Penske Technology Group, air quality control helps teams throughout NASCAR, Indy Car, and other industries study aerodynamics or other engineering services in various conditions. For more information, visit www.lennox.com.

RACING AWARDS POPULAR

American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning understands the popularity of NASCAR and other racing venues with the HVACR industry. As a reward for the company’s Stars & Stripes incentive, winners made their way to the running of the 2008 Daytona 500 compliments of American Standard.

PARKER HANNIFIN SPONSORS SPRINT CAR SERIES

Parker Hannifin Corp. signed a business agreement with True Speed Enterprises Inc. and Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises LLC, expanding the company’s involvement in the racing world. As part of the agreement, driver Donny Schatz continues as a significant part of Parker’s sprint car sponsorship program. He will drive the No. 15 car in the World of Outlaws (WoO) racing series for Tony Stewart Racing. Parker has sponsored Schatz since 1999, and has viewed the relationship as an opportunity to bring greater visibility to the Parker Store program. The latest agreement includes a billboard at Schatz’s track, logo placement on www.tonystewart.com and www.tonystewartracing.com, as well as the ParkerStore logo on all cars owned by Tony Stewart Racing including those driven by Stewart. “I’m pleased to continue our relationship with ParkerStore,” said Schatz. “They’ve been a big part of my racing career for several years, and it’s exciting to have them join me in the move to Tony Stewart Racing. I’m confident that we’ll be able to continue the winning tradition that ParkerStore has enjoyed for so many years.” For more information, visit www.parker.com.

TRANE RACES FOR RESEARCH

Trane distributor Wallwork Group sponsored a car under the Trane brand name for the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for neurofibromatosis (NF). During this race, four drivers raced the CTF No. 86 car for 24 hours straight in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. The Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona is said to be the toughest race of man and machine, cars that finish log more than 600 laps. “After leading much of the race, the 86 car suffered some transmission difficulties,” reported Matt Sheeleigh, president of the Wallwork Group. “In spite of that, however, the No. 87 car stepped up and completed 646 laps to finish in the 8th place position in the GT class.”

RHEEM EXTENDS AGREEMENT

Rheem Manufacturing Co. extended its sponsorship agreement with Richard Childress Racing® (RCR) for the 2008 and 2009 Sprint Cup® seasons. Rheem will continue as the major associate sponsor of RCR’s No. 29 car driven by 2007 Daytona 500 Champion Kevin Harvick. The Rheem and Ruud brand logos will be alternately featured on the rear quarter-panels of the No. 29 car in all Sprint Cup races. Rheem is also participating in a new primary sponsorship with Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI). It will be the primary sponsor of the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet driven by KHI CEO and co-owner, and 2007 Daytona 500 Champion, Kevin Harvick. Rheem will also be the primary sponsor of KHI’s No. 77 car driven by rookie Cale Gale. Rheem will be the primary sponsor for four Nationwide Series premier races in 2008 and the company’s Ruud brand will be an associate sponsor for the same four races.

“Rheem is geared up for an exciting future and is seizing valuable opportunities to grow our company and to improve the consumer awareness of our quality products and brands,” said JR Jones, president and COO of Rheem Manufacturing Co. “We are pleased to partner with Kevin and DeLana Harvick and the entire KHI team." For more information, visit www.rheem.com or www.ruud.com.

Publication date: 08/04/2008