NASCAR sponsors come and go, and seldom does one remain in the sport very long unless their programs are providing a return on investment.
For the regional plumbing, heating, air conditioning, HVAC, water systems and hardware distributor Northeastern Supply Company, that all-important ROI has always been met. As a result, the private, Baltimore-based company will commemorate its 20th consecutive season of NASCAR Nationwide Series team sponsorship in 2013 with associate support of JR Motorsports and the #7 team of driver Regan Smith.
“Our NASCAR program couldn’t be healthier,” said Northeastern President and CEO Steve Cook.
“Many of our customers, employees and vendors have supported our racing program from the very beginning, and though I have always said that we would find something else to do with our marketing dollars if this support began to wane, I can honestly say that our program has only grown in stature and acceptance and has met all of our expectations. We are thrilled to be able to continue this for a 20th straight year in 2013 and with such a great organization as JR Motorsports and driver in Regan Smith,” Cook added.
Northeastern Supply spent the last four seasons at Turner Motorsports where it backed Jason Leffler’s efforts for three years and then Justin Allgaier’s run last season. The company then struck a deal with JR Motorsports during the off-season with JRM and driver Smith. Smith is posied to be a strong contender for the 2013 Nationwide Series championship.
Smith ran full-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series the last five seasons and most recently with Front Row Motorsports. During those five campaigns, Smith earned his first career NASCAR victory at Darlington, SC in 2011 in the Southern 500. He also notched three top five and nine top ten finishes in his 165 career starts and led races in every season but one in 2008.
When Regan’s Sprint Cup Series contract with Front Row Motorsports was not renewed last season, JR Motorsports officials promptly jumped on the Cato, New York native and signed the 29-year-old to drive their #7 Chevrolets full-time beginning in 2013 and vie for the title. To help spur that move along, Regan was asked to drive the #5 Chevy from JR Motorsports in last year’s Nationwide Series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and with the backing of team co-owner Rick Hendrick, Smith roared to victory in the Ford Eco-Boost 300 to hopefully signal great things for the 2013.
Northeastern Supply has enjoyed solid team sponsor relationships over those 20 years and has aided the efforts of some of the Nationwide Series’ top drivers. In addition to Leffler and Allgaier, the Northeastern Supply logo has graced the race cars of other notables such as Sprint Cup Series stars Kasey Kahne and Sterling Marlin, and Nationwide Series regulars Jason Keller, Mike and Kenny Wallace, J.J. Yeley, Phil Parsons and Hank Parker, Jr.
When Northeastern Supply initiated its full-time NASCAR sponsorship program in 1994, the company had six sales branches in two states (Maryland and Delaware). Their NASCAR involvement has helped to spawn growth that today spans 34 branches in five Middle Atlantic States.
“Despite the rough economy the last few years, our business has remained steady,” Cook said.
“Giving our customers some relief by entertaining them at the races and allowing them to meet their NASCAR heroes up front and in person has paid off. The program has enabled us to maintain our customer base and actually grow it, and to be able to now offer them a program to follow that has our driver and car running up front, leading races, challenging for wins and vying for a championship will only enhance the experience. We’re excited to get the 2013 season started,” added Cook.
ABOUT NORTHEASTERN SUPPLY COMPANY
Northeastern Supply Company is a privately owned distributor of plumbing, heating, air conditioning, HVAC, water systems and hardware products for both commercial and residential projects. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, Northeastern Supply Company boasts 34 sales branches and showrooms in five Middle Atlantic states including Maryland, Delaware and portions of Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Northeastern Supply has used its involvement in NASCAR Nationwide Series sponsorship to promote and market its company’s services and suppliers and will be celebrating its 20th consecutive season of race team sponsorship in 2013 with JR Motorsports and championship-contending driver Regan Smith.
For more information on Northeastern Supply, its services and products, visit www.northeastern.com.
ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS
Based in Mooresville, NC, JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt, Jr., NASCAR’s 10-time Most Popular Driver and winner of more than 40 NASCAR-sanctioned races. JR Motorsports competes in multiple racing divisions, including the NASCAR Nationwide Series in which it has earned 10 victories since its inception in 2007. In 2012, the JRM Late Model program won the track championship at Motor Mile Speedway with driver Josh Berry, giving the company its first-ever championship. To learn moreabout the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.
