No. 99 CITGO Race Team Making A Splash In Daytona

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 8, 2002) -- When the No. 99 CITGO racecar hits the legendary 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway to kick-off Speedweeks, it will be sporting a new logo -- the CITGO BASSMASTER Tournament Trail emblem.

 

The new addition is part of an on-going strategic marketing agreement between CITGO Petroleum Corporation and B.A.S.S.  In August of 2001, CITGO became the title sponsor of the BASSMASTER Tournament Trail.  The alliance also included extensive advertising in B.A.S.S. publications, television programming on ESPN2 and interactive media.  To date, the sponsorship has increased awareness and generated a higher degree of national and international interest in the sport of bass fishing.  What better way to continue that growth in exposure than through NASCAR, America's number one spectator sport.  The No. 99 CITGO Taurus will carry the emblem for the entire season.

 

According to CITGO's NASCAR driver Jeff Burton, "This new addition to the No. 99 CITGO Taurus is a win-win situation because many CITGO race fans watching on television or sitting in the stands are outdoor enthusiasts who follow or are members of B.A.S.S.   When you look at the sport of fishing, there are so many people that fish ... men, women, and children.  Since it is so accessible to just about everyone this partnership will bring attention to our CITGO Motorsports program and I think our race program will bring attention to the fishing program.  I am looking forward to working on future projects between CITGO, B.A.S.S. and ESPN."

 

B.A.S.S., which consists of more than 600,000 members, recently announced that CITGO is the exclusive sponsor of all oil and lubricant products for the world's largest fishing organization.   It's a smooth deal for both parties since B.A.S.S. members use 56 percent more motor oil than regular consumers.

 

"Our marketing support philosophy is very simple: we support programs that reflect our company and customers' core values," said W.A. DeVore, CITGO senior vice president, supply, marketing & lubricants.  "Our sponsorships with B.A.S.S. illustrate the fact that when CITGO makes a commitment, we do it for the long term.  This can be seen through our 16-year sponsorship of NASCAR racing, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and our 10-year sponsorship of the Boston Marathon."

 

"NASCAR racing has been very good for CITGO since our association began 17 years ago, added Don Rucks, CITGO brand manager.  "We feel strongly about putting the logo on our No. 99 racecar as another way to ensure that the sport of fishing is recognized and preserved for generations to come."