Penske Auto Centers has entered into a sponsorship of real horsepower. The company announced today it is sponsoring the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) and a series of prep races for the Oct. 27 race at Belmont Park on World Thoroughbred Championships Day.
An announcement from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association said Penske Auto Centers gains entitlement rights to the $1 million Penske Auto Centers Breeders' Cup Sprint, and also becomes the exclusive automotive service provider of the NTRA.
"It's truly a unique opportunity to be the exclusive automotive service provider of the World Thoroughbred Championships Sprint Division," said Jim Wheat, president and CEO of Penske Auto Centers. "This strategic marketing alliance provides an opportunity for Penske Auto Centers to reach a whole new viewing audience through major television outlets such as CNBC, NBC and the ESPN family of networks. Research indicates that the audience of loyal horse race enthusiasts is second only to auto racing and it continues to grow each year. As a result, more than 50 million automobile and truck owners will associate the rich heritage of Thoroughbred racing with the Penske Auto Center name."
"We are delighted to welcome Penske Auto Centers to Thoroughbred racing," said Breeders' Cup President and NTRA Vice Chairman D.G. Van Clief Jr. "Given Penske Auto Centers' longstanding association with speed sports like auto racing, its involvement is a natural fit within the Sprint Division of the World Thoroughbred Championships."
The Breeders' Cup Sprint has only been sponsored four times in its 17 runnings: in 1989 by Consort Hair Spray; 1992 by GTECH Corp.; 1993 by AmTote; and 1997 by Buick;
Penske Auto Centers is the largest independent tire dealer in the United States with over 630 locations nationwide and more than 4,000 employees.
PENSKE AUTO CENTERS SPRINT DIVISION RACES
Sept. 22, Kentucky Cup Sprint , Turfway Park
Sept. 22, Vosburgh Stakes, Belmont Park
Sept. 29, Gallant Bloom Handicap, Belmont Park
Oct. 6, Ancient Title Breeders' Cup Handicap, Santa Anita
Oct. 6, Phoenix Breeders' Cup Stakes, Keeneland
Oct. 7, Forest Hills Handicap, Belmont Park
Oct. 21, Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes, Keeneland
