MOORESVILLE, N.C., UPS (NYSE: UPS) today announced it will extend its current
contract with Robert Yates Racing as the primary sponsor on the #88 Ford Taurus
through the 2006 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season. The current four-year contract
was scheduled to end in 2004.
"UPS wants to add to the momentum already building with staff changes at
RYR, the move to the new shop and success in testing," said Al Denicola,
UPS vice president for corporate sponsorships and events. "The Robert Yates
organization already 'lives the UPS brand' in its consistent performance and collaboration
to support our business activity and marketing efforts. We hope our commitment
gives Robert and Doug the planning horizon to continue investment in engineering
and performance and deliver excitement to the fans."
"We couldn't be happier with UPS's decision to stay with our organization
through 2006," said Robert Yates, car owner of the #88 UPS Ford Taurus. "We
have been fortunate to be partnered with some great companies and the UPS partnership
has been great for Robert Yates Racing. We believe we have one of the best sponsors
in the business with UPS and we hope to keep them for a long time to come."
The Atlanta-based company made its NASCAR debut in 2000 as the "Official
Express Delivery Company of NASCAR" in a marketing partnership. It followed
with primary sponsor team status in 2001 when it aligned with Dale Jarrett and
the #88 Robert Yates Racing entry. In the last two seasons, the UPS Racing Team
has won six races, scored six poles and earned 22 top-five and 37 top-10 finishes.
Beyond track performance, UPS also has measured its success through increased
awareness of the company's expanding capabilities, shipping volume growth throughout
the motor sports industry and sponsoring organizations, new revenues from licensed
merchandise sales and accolades for its "Race the Truck" advertising
campaign and fan web site www.racing.ups.com.
UPS continues to extend its racing program to its 320,000 U.S. employees with
performance motivation programs, driver and show car visits and special racing
gear and hospitality incentives.
UPS Trackside Services, the shipping counter located in the controlled-access
garage area each weekend at all Winston Cup tracks, opens its 2003 season at Daytona
International Speedway on Feb. 6 for inbound and outbound service. Last year with
its debut, UPS Trackside Services became an integral part of weekend operations.
Urgent deliveries included everything from helmets, safety equipment and parts
to fan merchandise.
For more information, contact:
Susan Rosenberg
UPS
srosenberg@ups.com
404-828-6130
Penny Copen
Elevation Motorsports
pcopen@elevationgrp.com
704-595-0112
