Valvoline to
Feature University of Kentucky Logo
On Benson’s Car in NASCAR Race
The new anniversary logo marking the 100th season of
Kentucky basketball will adorn Johnny Benson’s
Valvoline-sponsored Pontiac in the NASCAR Winston Cup race
in Atlanta. The Lexington-based automotive products company
and UK today announced the logo will appear on the hood of
Benson’s car during the Oct. 27 NAPA 500 race at the Atlanta
Motor Speedway. "Valvoline has been a great corporate
citizen of Kentucky and has been an innovative marketer for
many years and now has offered to pay tribute to our
championship tradition in basketball," said Mitch Barnhart,
UK Athletics Director. "It’s a merger of two championship
programs in one of America’s hottest sports. I’m sure the
greatest fans in college basketball will be cheering for
Johnny and the No. 10 Valvoline Pontiac that day."
"Valvoline is a proud Kentucky company and we wanted to
nationally honor Kentucky basketball, something all
Kentuckians hold dear to our hearts," said Jim Rocco, Senior
Vice President. "We hope Johnny can give the UK fans a
thrill or two like UK basketball has provided us for the
last 100 years."
Benson, a Michigan native, knows the importance Kentucky
basketball plays to many Valvoline customers and employees.
He hopes it will also help him claim that first victory he
is looking for in Winston Cup racing.
"A Michigan guy with a Kentucky basketball hood that should
cover all of our bases shouldn’t it?" asked Benson. "With
Kentucky fans and Michigan fans rooting for us we should
have a good day. If we win I’ll be the biggest Kentucky
basketball fan in Michigan."
The Wildcats, who own seven NCAA Championships and more wins
than any other team in college basketball, will be
celebrating their 100th season in 2002-03. Valvoline Racing,
The University of Kentucky, and The Collegiate Licensing
Company are collectively managing a licensing program
surrounding this unique alliance.
"The key to a successful licensing program is passion and we
believe that the combination of Kentucky basketball and
NASCAR will lead to some dynamic new opportunities for
licensees and retailers," said Rick Thompson, Associate
Athletics Director at the University of Kentucky Athletics
Department.
Items soon to be available include die cast vehicles (Racing
Champions), apparel (Red Oak Sportswear), Trackside (Sports
Design), gifts & novelties (Hunter Manufacturing). In
addition, Hi-Rev of Charlotte, NC designed the logo and
paint scheme and will market a line of souvenirs
incorporating the 100th season logo and car design. A
portion of all proceeds will benefit the University of
Kentucky Athletics Association. NBC will televise the race
at noon ET.
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2010
Truck Schedule
|
02/12 |
Daytona - #95
S - 9th F - 8th
Led 8 laps |
|
03/06 |
Atlanta |
|
03/27 |
Martinsville - #15
S - 9th F - 5th |
|
04/02 |
Nashville |
|
05/02 |
Kansas - #15
S - 13th F - 5th
Led 7 Laps |
|
05/14 |
Dover - #15
S - 4th F - 10th |
|
05/21 |
Lowes |
|
06/04 |
Texas - #18
S - 13th F - 10th |
|
06/12 |
MIS |
|
07/11 |
Iowa |
|
07/16 |
Gateway |
|
07/23 |
Indy |
|
07/31 |
Pocono |
|
08/07 |
Nashville |
|
08/14 |
Darlington |
|
08/18 |
Bristol |
|
08/27 |
Chicagoland |
|
09/03 |
Kentucky |
|
09/18 |
Loudon |
|
09/25 |
Las Vegas |
|
10/23 |
Martinsville |
|
10/30 |
Talladega |
|
11/05 |
Texas |
|
11/12 |
Phoenix |
|
11/19 |
Homestead |
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2010
Nationwide
Schedule |
|
02/13 |
Daytona |
|
02/20 |
California |
|
02/27 |
Las Vegas |
|
03/20 |
Bristol |
|
04/03 |
Nashville |
|
04/09 |
Phoenix |
|
04/17 |
Texas |
|
04/24 |
Talladega |
|
04/30 |
Richmond |
|
05/07 |
Darlington |
|
05/15 |
Dover |
|
05/29 |
Lowes |
|
06/05 |
Nashville |
|
06/12 |
Kentucky |
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06/26 |
Loudon |
|
07/02 |
Daytona |
|
07/09 |
Chicago |
|
07/17 |
Gateway |
|
07/24 |
Indy |
|
07/31 |
Iowa |
|
08/07 |
Watkins Glen |
|
08/14 |
MIS |
|
08/20 |
Bristol |
|
08/29 |
Montreal |
|
09/04 |
Atlanta |
|
09/10 |
Richmond |
|
09/25 |
Dover |
|
10/02 |
Kansas |
|
10/09 |
California |
|
10/15 |
Lowes |
|
10/23 |
Gateway |
|
11/06 |
Texas |
|
11/13 |
Phoenix |
|
11/20 |
Miami |
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2010
Sprint Cup
Schedule |
|
02/14 |
Daytona |
|
02/21 |
California |
|
02/28 |
Las Vegas |
|
03/07 |
Atlanta |
|
03/21 |
Bristol |
|
03/28 |
Martinsville |
|
04/10 |
Phoenix |
|
04/18 |
Texas |
|
04/25 |
Talladega |
|
05/01 |
Richmond |
|
05/08 |
Darlington |
|
05/16 |
Dover |
|
05/30 |
Lowes |
|
06/06 |
Pocono |
|
06/13 |
MIS |
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06/20 |
Sonoma |
|
06/27 |
New Hampshire |
|
07/03 |
Daytona |
|
07/10 |
Chicago |
|
07/25 |
Indy |
|
08/01 |
Pocono |
|
08/08 |
Watkins Glen |
|
08/15 |
MIS |
|
08/21 |
Bristol |
|
09/05 |
Atlanta |
|
09/11 |
Richmond |
|
09/19 |
Loudon |
|
09/26 |
Dover |
|
10/03 |
Kansas |
|
10/10 |
California |
|
10/16 |
Lowes |
|
10/24 |
Martinsville |
|
10/31 |
Talladega |
|
11/07 |
Texas |
|
11/14 |
Phoenix |
|
11/21 |
Miami |
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