FORT MILL, S.C. — The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) has renewed its two-year-old race tire supply and series promotion agreement with Continental Tire the Americas' General Tire brand for a few more years.
At the same time, General Tire disclosed it will be the title sponsor for a 150-mile race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24 next year. The General Tire 150 will mark ARCA's return to the legendary 1.5-mile oval after a 13-year absence.
General Tire took over the race tire supply deal with ARCA before the start of the 2016 season, replacing Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. as the series' tire supplier.
Continental subsequently bought Hoosier Tire, which had produced the General Tire brand under contract prior that that deal.
The "multi-year" renewal continues General Tire's status as the "official tire" of the series along with other promotions, including the General Tire Superspeedway Challenge and General Tire Pole Award.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
ARCA President Ron Drager called General Tire's partnership with ARCA "extensive" and said the series as a whole has benefited from General Tire's participation, which includes race event entitlements such as the Superspeedway Challenge and Pole Award, media support, onboard camera placement, trackside signage and activation.
General Tire is "eager to work with ARCA to help expand both our brands even more," according to Travis Roffler, director of marketing for General Tire, who pointed to the addition of the General Tire 150 as an example of the brand's expanding presence.
"Charlotte Motor Speedway's stature in stock car racing makes it a top-tier destination," Mr. Drager said. "We appreciate the opportunity to return to Charlotte in 2018, especially in partnership with General Tire…."
The ARCA event on May 24 will be part of Charlotte Motor Speedway's "10 Days of NASCAR Thunder," according to Greg Walter, executive vice president of the race track located about 35 miles northeast of Continental Tire's U.S. headquarters in Fort Mill.
