Quaker State and Hendrick Motorsports agree expansion

06 September 2010 | Posted in Sponsorship, Motorsport, North America | By Tom Love

Motor oil and car care company Quaker State Corporation have announced a three-year sponsorship deal with Hendrick Motorsports.

The expansion of the long standing partnership between the team and sponsor was confirmed in a press release from Quaker State on September 4th. The deal, which is set to increase Quaker State's exposure in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series, will see the motor oil company be an associate sponsor of all Hendrick Motorsports cars from the start of the 2011 season. The three-year deal includes primary placement for Quaker State on the No. 5 Chevrolet in four Sprint Cup races annually.

Lisa Davis, vice president of Shell Lubricants Americas, Quaker State’s parent company, said: "We are extremely proud to announce our continued sponsorship of Hendrick Motorsports. Hendrick Motorsports sets the benchmark for performance in Nascar, and we are proud that Quaker State racing oil has been under the hood of every Hendrick race car for the past 15 years. We have achieved tremendous success together and look forward to many more wins and championships, as Hendrick's ability to perform on and off the track continues to grow."

"We're excited to continue what has been an extremely successful relationship. Our engine department works hand-in-hand with Quaker State technical personnel to develop the highest possible grade of racing oil for our teams. And the Quaker State relationship extends beyond the racetrack and into our dealerships by providing customers with a durable oil that offers a high level of protection for their vehicles." added Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group.

Mark Martin will drive the No. 5 Chevrolet in 2011. Martin, a winner of 40 Sprint Cup races, said: "The new Quaker State paint scheme looks awesome. I'm not sure how a paint scheme can look fast, but Quaker State and Hendrick Motorsports did it with this one. I can't wait to race it and hopefully take it to Victory Lane. I know Quaker State and Hendrick Motorsports have a long history together, but I also have a history with Quaker State. The color green actually brought me some good luck back in 1986, when Quaker State was a sponsor on my ASA (American Speed Association) car. Not only did we win races, but we also won the championship that year. I'm excited to be working with them again, after all these years."

Industry experts believe the deal to be worth approximately US$4 million a year.

Quaker State's four races as primary sponsor of the No. 5 car will be determined and disclosed at a later date.