MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Penske Corp. and Shell have confirmed a multi-year extension of their ongoing alliance in North America. As part of the agreement, Shell and Pennzoil will continue sponsoring Penske Racing entries in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the IZOD IndyCar Series as well as continue to be the preferred supplier of fuels, lubricants and related products to the Penske organization.
"Technological leadership drives us forward. The knowledge we gain, on and off the track, supports strong product development," said Marvin Odum, president of Shell Oil Co. "This alliance, with Penske as one of the world's most successful transportation businesses, allows us to expand within motorsports and other businesses."
"We are very proud of the ongoing alliance that has continued to grow between our Penske Corp. companies and Shell and Pennzoil," said Roger Penske. "This is a relationship that has been strengthened at the racetrack and well beyond. We look forward to working with Shell and Pennzoil for many more years as we continue to build on our success together."
As part of the agreement, Pennzoil will continue to be the "Official Motor Oil" of Penske Racing. Shell and Pennzoil will continue to be the primary sponsor of the Penske Racing No. 22 car for 33 races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Driver Joey Logano joins the team this season racing the Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion beginning in 2013.
For the third-consecutive season, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will continue to represent the Shell and Pennzoil premium brands in 2013. Castroneves will drive the No. 3 Shell V-Power Pennzoil Ultra IndyCar at the Indianapolis 500 on May 26 as well as at the inaugural Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston series doubleheader, October 5-6. Shell and Pennzoil will also be associate sponsors on all Penske Racing cars competing throughout the season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series as well as the IZOD IndyCar Series.
Separately, ExxonMobil and NASCAR have announced a multi-year partnership extension, making Mobil 1 the "Official Motor Oil of NASCAR" and "Official Lubricant Technology Partner of NASCAR" through 2017. The 2013 NASCAR season will mark the 11th consecutive season in which the Mobil 1 brand is an official partner of NASCAR, the premier motorsports series in the United States.
ExxonMobil and NASCAR will launch a new branded content platform that explores NASCAR's world-class automotive technology via the "NASCAR Automotive Technology Center Engineered by Mobil 1" online site housed on the newly launched NASCAR.com. The comprehensive platform will deliver automotive technology-related information through original feature stories, photos, videos, a glossary of automotive and racing terms, plus social elements including fan polls and more. Full details on the project are set to be unveiled at a future date.
"As the lubricant technology of champion drivers and race teams, the renewed association between Mobil 1 and NASCAR allows us to better engage motorsports fans by leveraging the excitement of racing," said Rebecca K. Aldred, global brand manager for Mobil 1. "Additionally, the launch of the 'NASCAR Automotive Technology Center Engineered by Mobil 1' demonstrates our commitment to cutting-edge technology, both on and off the track. Today, Mobil 1 is the world's leading synthetic motor oil brand in no small part due to the commitment to supporting NASCAR's three national racing series."
"We're excited about continuing our partnership with ExxonMobil and helping extend the Mobil 1 brand's rich legacy in our sport," said Jim O'Connell, chief sales officer for NASCAR. "As an extension of this partnership, both NASCAR and Mobil 1 look forward to engaging fans through the newly created technology platform that promises to offer fans a unique perspective into the technology that drives this sport."
More than half of the teams competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series chose Mobil 1, the company said.
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