(photo courtesy Leon Hammack)
Shell Oil Company and Penske Corporation announce a multi-year cross business alliance starting in the 2011 racing season. The new alliance allows Shell and Pennzoil to expand their motorsports presence as it includes a primary sponsorship with 2004 NASCAR® Sprint Cup Series Champion, Kurt Busch and the No. 22 car, as well as associate sponsorships promoting Shell V-Power® with IZOD IndyCar Series drivers Helio Castroneves, Will Power and Ryan Briscoe.
The global business alliance provides an opportunity for Shell and Pennzoil to expand their presence not only within motorsports, but also as a preferred supplier of fuels, lubricants and related products to the Penske organization. Beginning in 2011, Shell and Pennzoil will be the “Official Fuel and Motor Oil Supplier” to the Penske organization in the U.S and the organizations will look to extend their alliance with business development opportunities in several other countries.
The Penske organization is one of the world’s most successful and recognized automotive-based business enterprises and provides unique activation opportunities. Additionally, this alliance continues to enable further product development for Shell and Pennzoil both on and off the track through the invaluable knowledge gained surrounding fuels, lubricants and engine technologies. Like Shell and Pennzoil, Penske Corporation has a close relationship with Chrysler and Ferrari, both part of the Fiat Group.
Winning is a tradition for Penske, an organization that has earned more than 315 major race victories including 15 Indianapolis 500 wins and the 2008 Daytona 500, more than 370 pole positions and 22 national championships.
As part of the alliance, Pennzoil will become the “Official Motor Oil” of Penske Racing in 2011 which includes all of its entries in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series as well as the IZOD IndyCar Series. For Pennzoil, returning to Penske is a homecoming of sorts as Pennzoil first aligned with Penske as part of its IndyCar teams in 1983 and won the 1984 and 1988 Indianapolis 500 Mile Races with driver Rick Mears. In addition, Kurt Busch won his 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship driving a Pennzoil-supported car for another team. (Penske and Shell PR)
Meanwhile, Mobil1 has announced that it is ending its relationship with Penske at the end of this season. Mobile 1 has been the sponsor for the #77 Penske Dodge driven by Sam Hornish, Jr. Because of the addition of Shell Oil Company, and the impending loss of Mobil 1, Penske is now trying to gather up sponsorship for the #77 Dodge team.
With the announcement of Shell/Pennzoil coming onboard with Penske Racing and Kurt Busch driving the newly sponsored and newly numbered #22 Shell/Pennzoil Penske Dodge, it appears that “Blazingly Bad” Brad Keselowski will slide over into the #2 Miller Lite Dodge for Penske Racing. With two thirds of the Penske Racing teams lined up and secure, the last question is who will come onboard to sponsor the #77 Penske Dodge?
The dominoes are falling early and at a rather rapid pace! Stay tuned for more of this year’s ‘SILLY SEASON”!
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
