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[/media-credit]MOORESVILLE, N.C. (March 20, 2012) – Penske Racing and the Automobile Club of Southern California, the nation’s largest member of the AAA federation of motor clubs, announced today that the organizations will extend their current partnership through the 2016 racing season. The multi-year extension of this sponsorship agreement means the Automobile Club of Southern California and its affiliated clubs will continue to sponsor Penske Racing teams competing in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the IZOD IndyCar Series.
The Auto Club will sponsor the No. 22 Dodge Charger driven by AJ Allmendinger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this season. The sponsorship includes AAA serving as the primary sponsor for the No. 22 car at the March 25 Auto Club 400 held at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California as well as the April 22 race in Kansas. AAA will also be a co-primary sponsor for Allmendinger and the No. 22 Dodge May 6 at the Talladega Cup Series race and July 15 at the race in Loudon, New Hampshire. In addition, the Auto Club will continue as a major associate sponsor on the No. 22 machine for the balance of the season.
“I know that the Auto Club and Penske have enjoyed a strong and productive working relationship and it’s great to know that it will continue to grow as we move forward,” said Allmendinger. “I appreciate the opportunity to become part of this partnership and I’m excited to help communicate the Auto Club’s ‘safety first’ message both on and off the racetrack starting this season.”
In the IZOD IndyCar Series, the Auto Club will continue to be active in its support of three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves. AAA will be the primary sponsor of the No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet for the April 1 race in Birmingham, Ala., in Long Beach, Calif. on April 15 and the June 9 series race in Texas.
“I am very excited to extend this partnership with the Auto Club,” said Castroneves. “It was an honor to drive the No. 3 Auto Club IndyCar starting last season and I look forward to representing the Auto Club in the new Dallara/Chevrolet not only in 2012 but for years to come. We will be working hard to get the Auto Club Team Penske car to Victory Lane, that’s for sure.”
”We are pleased to extend our racing affiliation with the Penske organization,” said Thomas V. McKernan, Auto Club CEO. “The extension is just one part of a broader, ongoing relationship with Penske which includes a truck rental member discount program and partnerships with Penske Automotive Group, including vehicle purchasing programs, approved auto repair, Auto Club driving school and insurance sales. Since starting with Penske Racing in 2008, we’ve experienced solid results through our activation programs. Extending our current relationship with the Penske Racing organization which includes both their legendary IZOD IndyCar Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams allows us to reach distinct, diverse fan demographics, and we expect the great results to continue.”
The Auto Club’s sponsorship of the Team Penske IndyCar program reflects back on the Club’s early racing heritage. The Auto Club was one of the first organizations to sanction open-wheel automobile races in Southern California over a century ago, and AAA was the first organization to sanction the Indianapolis 500.
“Penske Corporation and Penske Racing have a long relationship with the Auto Club and AAA and they have been terrific sponsors for our NASCAR and IndyCar teams,” said Roger Penske. “We are pleased to be able to continue this great partnership into 2016.”
The extended agreement with Penske Racing allows the Auto Club and its affiliated clubs to not only better serve its members, but will also provide an effective, highly-visible additional platform to promote its insurance products. The Auto Club’s sponsorship has also included member and employee benefits and discounts and community outreach.
The Automobile Club of Southern California is the largest member of the AAA federation of motor clubs. With its affiliates and subsidiaries the Auto Club of Southern California serves more than 13 million members in Southern California, AAA Alabama, AAA Hawaii, AAA Missouri, AAA New Mexico, AAA Northern New England, AAA Texas and AAA Tidewater Virginia. Most often recognized for its industry leading roadside assistance service, the Auto Club also provides members with competitively priced auto, home, life, and power sports insurance. Auto Club members have access to many additional benefits, including the AAA full service travel agency and trip planning services, AAA Discount programs, AAA Credit Card, pre-negotiated car buying program, guaranteed AAA auto repair services, and more. AAA is also active in consumer protection initiatives such as automotive testing and analysis, as well as highway, transportation, and teen driver safety programs. For more information visit www.AAA.com.
Penske Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced 351 major race wins, 412 pole positions and 23 National Championships. The team has also earned 15 Indianapolis 500 victories. For more information about Penske Racing, please visit www.penskeracing.com.
