SPARTA, Ky. – Ford and its dealer associations representing Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio announce a three-year renewal of a long-standing Kentucky Speedway partnership along with two impactful consumer promotions centered on the racetrack’s inaugural July 9 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series “Quaker State 400.”
Long-Term Partnership Ford continues its 11-year reign as the “Official Vehicle of Kentucky Speedway” by announcing an extension of its partnership through 2013.
“Ford and its more than 6,600 Kentucky employees are excited to power the speedway’s inaugural Sprint Cup season,” said Greg Wood, Ford Cincinnati regional manager.
Under the terms of the partnership, Ford will be the exclusive provider of cars and trucks to the 106,000-capacity speedway.
“Ford vehicles built Kentucky Speedway and have been our official vehicle since. It’s natural for us to work together to spotlight the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visit to this region. Ford Racing and our regional Ford dealers are coming through once again with great programs that showcase our ‘Quaker State 400’ and the outstanding Ford lineup,” Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger said.
Special Edition Mustang GT 5.0 Official Pace Car and Promotion Ford is excited to announce a Special Edition 2012 Mustang GT 5.0 Convertible that offers fans a chance to play unique roles in the speedway’s historic Sprint Cup event. Ford built and will sell only 43 Official Pace Car Mustang GT Convertibles to match the number of drivers in the inaugural “Quaker State 400” field. White Mustangs are numbered for collectible purposes and feature unique “Official Pace Car” badging along with NASCAR and Kentucky Speedway logos.
Ford stores placed the one-of-a-kind convertibles on sale today, May 11. Consumers who purchase a limited-edition Mustang will have the opportunity to:
· Drive a Sprint Cup Series competitor around the speedway’s 1.5-mile tri-oval during the traditional NASCAR parade lap prior to the 7:30 p.m. start to the “Quaker State 400;”
· Enjoy four complimentary “Quaker State 400″ tickets;
· Meet and have a Ford driver autograph the Mustang;
· Be chosen to wave the green flag during Sprint Cup Series qualifying July 8. Convertibles are equipped with a 5.0-liter, 412-horsepower V8 engine, 3.5-inch mandrel-bent exhaust, coil-over MacPherson strut front suspension as well as a custom exterior package that delivers a pedestal spoiler, side scoops and a decklid face panel.
Ford Consumer Promotion with Kentucky Speedway Ford will generate additional momentum for the speedway’s season-opening tripleheader NASCAR weekend by awarding 10 fans two tickets to a July 7 225-mile NASCAR Camping World Truck Series battle along with the July 8 NASCAR Nationwide Series “Feed The Children 300” and “Quaker State 400.” Ford also is offering fans a chance to wave the green flag during “Quaker State 400” qualifying and win the use of a recreational vehicle for the speedway’s season-opening week.
Fans can register for prizes and learn more by visiting a Ford store for a test drive or logging on to from May 23 to June 30.
Ford will support the program through an advertising campaign that will include a 30-second television commercial in which Ford Sprint Cup Series drivers Marcos Ambrose, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth and David Ragan invite fans to the “Quaker State 400.”
Dealer Chairmen Bob Ring of Kings Ford in Cincinnati and Kevin Collins of Bill Collins Ford in Louisville, Ky., stated the Kentucky Speedway partnership and consumer programs will continue to provide multiple benefits for their associations.
“Race fans fit the Ford customer profile perfectly. Our Ford truck customers have always been big fans of NASCAR and the best selling truck on the planet for 34 straight years, the Ford F-Series,” Ring said. “We’re proud to be the ‘Official Vehicle’ of the largest motorsports event to visit the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Kentucky Speedway provides the perfect setting to display Ford’s award-winning lineup of fuel efficient vehicles,” Collins added.
Sprint Cup Series “Quaker State 400” tickets that include a race-day concert with country music artist Clay Walker, Fan Zone pit road and infield passes, Pre-race Fan Zone driver introduction and concert passes as well as tickets to all 2011 Kentucky Speedway events can be reserved at http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com, by calling 888-652-7223 or visiting the Kentucky Speedway corporate office at 1 Speedway Drive in Sparta, Ky., just off Interstate 71 Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 N.
