SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Sept. 16, 2009) — Discount Tire Co. Inc. (DTC) is moving its NASCAR sponsorship next year to Penske Racing, agreeing to back up-and-coming driver Brad Keselowski in the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series and become an associate sponsor on Penske's NASCAR Nextel Cup and IndyCar series teams.
DTC will be the primary sponsor for at least 26 races in next season's Nationwide Series on Mr. Kesolowski's No. 22 Dodge Charger and will be an associate sponsor on his No. 12 Nextel Cup Charger as well as the No. 2 Miller Lite Charger driven by former series champion Kurt Busch.
Penske's IndyCar team also will carry DTC sponsor decals, the partners said.
Financial terms of the multi-year sponsorship deal were not disclosed.
DTC is moving its sponsorship packge to Penske from Roush Fenway Racing, where it backed driver David Ragan for the past three seasons. DTC started in NASCAR in 2004 with Ganassi Racing.
“Our goal is to compete for race wins and championships with Penske Racing,” DTC Chairman Bruce Halle said, “and we can't wait to see the first green flag in 2010.”
Mr. Kesolowski, 25, a native of Rochester Hills, Mich., is a five-time winner in NASCAR Nationwide Series racing and won a Nextel Cup race earlier this year at Talladega Motor Speedway. He's third in the Nationwide Series standings this year with eight races to go.
“Discount Tire is a leader in tire retailing and an experienced NASCAR sponsor, and together we have created a powerful lineup for 2010 and beyond,” according to Penske Racing principal Roger Penske, who touted Mr. Keselowski as a serious contender for the Nationwide Series championship next season.