Earlier this year, NASCAR K&N West Series Competitor Bobby Grewohl announced a new sponsorship deal with the H2M Beverage Company to represent their 989 On-Demand product.
“I really feel very honored and lucky to be involved with the H2M Beverage family and represent their company and products,” Grewohl said in an interview. “The owners are very genuine and caring people and I feel very privileged to be part of their team.”
“This partnership works for us on multiple levels,” said Greg Piagesi, co-founder of H2M and SVP, Sales. “Over the three-year term, it offers us nearly 19,000 sku slots nationwide, significantly increasing our distribution. And as title sponsor of Bobby’s racing team, the design of the car, hauler, team fire suit, and helmet can offer our retail partners great exposure to NASCAR’s loyal fan base.”
989 On-Demand is a drink that is designed to replenish and rehydrate you with all-natural ingredients.
“989 On-Demand is a great product and it does what it is advertised to do,” Grewohl added. “I like the product very much and honestly recommend it to everyone. It is 100% natural and zero calories, which makes it a perfect fit for my current training regimen.”
The product fits well with Grewohl as he says NASCAR drivers are just like any athletes out there.
“The conditions in the car are really intense with temperatures that can reach 140 degrees, high g-forces and high speed for a long time,” he said. “You have to train for this like any other athlete trains for their sport. If you do not properly train you will not have chance at being successful.”
Grewohl says he trains because when he was younger, he lost a race due to not having the strength and energy to finish it. It’s also good to train and work out because it can help on the mechanical side in setting up the car.
“The race car is relatively light weight,” Grewohl explained. “Having a driver that is in good shape and not over weight is also good as it will allow more opportunities for distribution of weight in the race car which gives the engineer more options for balancing or setting up the car.”
Grewohl works closely with his trainer Al Tortorelli to always take his workouts a step further. Some highlights of the current workout include spending three hours training each day including 40 minutes in a sauna, a heavy core workout (abs, back), running, cycling and lifting weights.
“He has me doing a 40 to 60 minute workout in a sauna to simulate the conditions in the race car,” he said. “I do not do this without a doctor’s supervision. I want to be able to perform at a consistent level under extreme conditions so it is important that I have the support, right tools and products to help me stay healthy and replenish what I’m losing during my training and racing.”
The drink 989 On-Demand works perfectly with keeping fit and being ready as it helps replenish electrolytes that are lost when we sweat. For NASCAR drivers, they lose an average 10 to 12 pounds in weight per race alone due to sweat alone.
“The body loses more than just water when we sweat,” Nutritionist Dr. Tricia Psota said. “Valuable electrolytes are eliminated through sweat as well. Where vitamins and minerals pass through the bloodstream and urine, electrolytes are eliminated through sweat.”
To go with the sponsorship deal, Grewohl will run a car numbered “9”89, which makes it the first three digit car in NASCAR history. They will ghost the 9, but it will be visible at all times.
Along with running the K&N West Series, Grewohl will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut later this season at Iowa Speedway for Joe Nemechek and NEMCO Racing.
“I am really excited and looking forward to the track and race,” he said. “I am also thankful and honored to be driving for and representing Joe Nemechek and NEMCO Racing. I will be focusing on finishing the race and trying my best to get the car into the winners circle. Finishing up front is always the goal.”
Grewohl says the experience from previously will benefit going forth due to Iowa Speedway being a one mile oval.
“Racing with 36 plus other drivers at high speed, definitely sharpens your skills and when racing in close quarters you have to take care of your equipment in order to finish,” he added.
Grewohl got interested in racing at a young age, through watching races as a kid with his father.
“One year, I asked my dad if I could get a motor cycle or a go-kart,” Grewohl explained. “I was able to choose one and I chose the go-kart. After lots of practice in the parking lot of the local high school, I finished third in my class at my first race in Sacramento, CA. I was hooked from that moment and decided this is what I wanted to do. I haven’t looked back since.”
Since then, Grewohl has found success each step of the way, catching the attention of Chip Ganassi. Ganassi called Grewohl in 2003 to ask the then 17-year-old to come drive for him.
“Well, I actually thought it was a joke,” Grewohl said. “I got call from a number I didn’t recognize and I didn’t actually believe it until I was put on hold and I heard a recording of all their wins playing in the background. The fact that Chip made a point to call me himself was incredible. I soon packed my bags and went to start training with the team. That call was a dream come true.”
In his racing career to date, Grewohl has had many memorable moments, including a special test at Kentucky Motor Speedway.
“I had been invited to Kentucky Motor Speedway where I was to test for my Indy Racing League driver’s license,” he said. “Brian Barnhart and Tony George were there. I had never been at this track or driven an Indy Pro Series Car. They are testing you to see how you listen, follow directions, how attentive you are and how you interact with the engineers. I took the car out for a couple of shakedown laps and was told to bring it back in. How you enter and leave the pits is also being looked at.
“After checking the car, they sent me back out and turned me loose. I was given my IRL License on my 3rd lap and broke the previous year’s qualifying lap record on my 6th lap. It doesn’t get any better than this for a kid with dreams of racing professionally.”
To others who want to get into racing, Grewohl says the key is to make sure to listen to those who have had success before you.
“Learn all you can, don’t be afraid to ask questions,” he said. “Be respectful of everyone, always be humble and let your driving do the talking. Earn your respect on and off the track. Racing is a world where everyone knows everyone so make sure you always leave a good impression. Never give up on your goals.”
