US fuel brand Sunoco has become an official sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) beginning in 2015.

Activation of the sponsorship will include a comprehensive package of television spots, no rx digital presence, anabolics on-site visibility, and NHRA-themed consumer and retail promotions designed to increase attendance and television viewership.

The 10-year agreement calls for Sunoco to become the official racing fuel of NHRA and will be the exclusive on-site gasoline and nitromethane supplier at all NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series national events. Sunoco gasoline will be the spec racing gasoline in the Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories at national events and Competition eliminator categories at both national and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events.

“The fuel supplier is one of the most integral partnerships that a racing sanctioning body can have,” said Tom Compton, NHRA president. “We’ve had great partners in the past, however, Sunoco not only will provide our racers quality products, but our companies will be great marketing partners to increase awareness of NHRA Drag Racing and the Sunoco brand.”

According to Graham Light, NHRA senior vice president of racing operations, “Sunoco will fulfill our ongoing commitment to provide a ‘spec’ fuel that keeps the playing field level. Fuel shouldn’t be a competition variable. Sunoco also will have on-site service and technical support at national events and testing sessions.”

“Motorsports and the manufacturing of performance fuels are in Sunoco’s DNA,” said Bob Owens, president and CEO of Sunoco, Inc. “Our partnership with the NHRA represents our dedication to performance at the highest levels of racing and will carry over to the fuels that consumers put in their street vehicles.”

Michael Waltrip Racing announced today it has signed multi-year contract extensions with sponsor 5-hour ENERGY, sales driver Clint Bowyer and crew chief Brian Pattie to race its No. 15 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series starting in 2015.

The trio joined MWR in 2012 and has scored three wins and earned two Chase berths including a runner-up finish in 2012. 

“This is big news for all of us,” said Bowyer, an eight-time winner in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition. “It creates great stability and excitement about what the next few years can bring. MWR is my racing home and continuing this relationship with 5-hour ENERGY was a high priority. It’s time to put the paperwork in a drawer and focus on winning.” 

“Since the first day 5-hour ENERGY, Clint and Brian showed up at MWR, we have been a contender for wins and championships. I am so thankful that we get to continue and add to what we have built,” said co-owner Michael Waltrip. “I am most happy for the employees of MWR who are the foundation of everything we do.” 

The familiar red, black and yellow brand colors of 5-hour ENERGY will adorn the No. 15 in 24 NASCAR Sprint Cup events each year starting in 2015. Additional primary partners on the No. 15 include PEAK and AAA Mid-Atlantic. 

“We have clearly aligned ourselves with one of the most competitive and energetic drivers in racing and we felt it was really important for us to continue the equity we have built over the past three years,” said Scott Henderson, president of 5-hour ENERGY. “We love Clint, the people at MWR and the sport of NASCAR. The extension decision was also based on our racing program’s success with our sales team and all of our participating retailers.” 

Bowyer celebrates his 300th start Sunday at Kansas Speedway.

Indy Trading Post has agreed to sponsor the No. 25 Indy car of Marco Andretti for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis and the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500.

The third-generation racer is fresh off a second-place finish at Barber Motorsports Park and heads into the Grand Prix of Indianapolis weekend sixth in the championship points standings. 

Located just south of downtown Indianapolis, Indy Trading Post is the city’s go-to for family shooting sports.

In addition to a spot on the No. 25 Snapple Honda, Indy Trading Post will continue its relationship with Jarett Andretti, son of John Andretti and cousin to Marco Andretti, where the local business has branding on the third-generation racer’s sprint cars. Jarett most recently competed in the Glen Niebel Classic driving the No. 18 Indy Trading Post Pavement Sprint Car at Anderson Speedway on April 27 where he finished fourth in his second pavement sprint car race of his career.

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), have announced a new landmark partnership with Japanese company, Mizuno Corporation.

Mizuno will be designated WBSC’s first Global Sponsor and the Exclusive Official Game Ball Supplier of all 2014 Baseball and Softball World Championship platforms — from youth to professional level — overseen by the WBSC. 

The new WBSC-Mizuno agreement follows Mizuno’s sponsorship of WBSC’s historic and first-ever World Baseball Softball Congress in Africa, which was announced last month, and covers this year’s three baseball world championships — the IBAF Youth U-15, U-21 and Women’s Baseball World Cups — and this year’s two softball world championships —  the ISF U19 Junior Men’s Softball World Championship and the Women’s Softball World Championship. 

“The WBSC is proud to partner with a sports industry leader like Mizuno, which will help keep the WBSC at the forefront of youth sport and further strengthen our youth engagement platforms,” said WBSC co-Presidents Riccardo Fraccari and Don Porter. 

WBSC leadership also hailed the agreement as highlighting the value baseball and softball could deliver to the Olympic Movement, if included on the Olympic Programme. 

“The WBSC remains committed to Olympic Games inclusion, and this strategic-partnership — the sponsorship of our youth-, women’s- and men’s competition platforms — is critical to strongly demonstrating baseball and softball’s youth and commercial appeal, and gender-balance,” the co-presidents added. “We are confident that under the Olympic umbrella, baseball and softball’s global assets could further enhance and sustain the uniqueness, year-round message and economic positioning of the Olympic Games, while making the Games increasingly relevant to women and vice-versa.” 

The structure of the WBSC-Mizuno agreement includes cash and value-in-kind, extending upon Mizuno’s long-standing partnerships with the International Baseball Federation and International Softball Federation that dates back over forty years. 

NASCAR has announced it has reached a seven-year agreement with Camping World to remain the entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series through 2022.

The new deal ensures that Camping World will own exclusive rights as title sponsor for a total of 14-consecutive years, anabolics equaling the longest entitlement sponsorship in the history of the national series, drugs which is celebrating its 20th season.

The renewed partnership aligns two brands in the midst of significant growth. Since originally becoming series entitlement sponsor in 2009, Camping World has expanded its number of stores by 35 percent, resulting in the company eclipsing $3 billion in annual revenue. 

“The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has one of the most consistent and durable audiences in all of sports, averaging approximately 800,000 or more television viewers per event over the past six years,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR chief marketing officer. “Camping World’s seven-year continued commitment to our sport demonstrates its confidence in our on-track product and strength of our brand loyal fan base.” 

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series features some of the toughest and most competitive racing in the sport. The series has helped catapult the careers of many of the sport’s most popular and successful drivers, such as Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski. Currently, the series houses a young crop of stars that are talented, dynamic and diverse including Ben Kennedy, German Quiroga Jr. and Darrell Wallace Jr. 

“Camping World and NASCAR are mutually invested in the growth of a national series that is celebrated for its exciting brand of racing and the most loyal fan base in the country,” said Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises Chairman and CEO Marcus Lemonis. “Six years ago we felt strongly that the sponsorship would dramatically increase our customer base and it’s delivered. We expect to see continued success in the coming years.” 

The new deal provides Camping World exclusive rights to market its Good Sam Roadside Assistance program as the Official Roadside Assistance of NASCAR. With a network that includes 40,000 tow and service providers in North America, 

Additionally, the new agreement provides official NASCAR status to two growing automobile companies; CarCash as the Official Auto Buying Service of NASCAR, and AutoMatch USA, as the Official Pre-owned Automobile Retailer of NASCAR. CarCash, featured on Season 1 of CNBC’s The Profit, purchases used cars from individuals in return for immediate cash. AutoMatch USA, featured on Season 2 of CNBC’s The Profit, specializes in the sale of foreign and domestic pre-owned cars of all makes and models. 

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will make its return to Kansas Speedway with the running of the SFP 250 on May 9.

Long distance runner Kara Goucher has become the new brand ambassador for footwear brand, viagra sale Sketchers.

The multi-year agreement names Skechers Performance Division as Goucher’s official footwear sponsor and will feature the world-class female runner in global marketing and advertising campaigns.

Goucher’s achievements as an elite long-distance runner include winning the bronze medal in the 2007 World Championships in the 10, herbal 000 meter, treat competing on the U.S. Olympic team in 2012 and 2008, placing first in the 2012 USA Half Marathon Championships and placing third in the 2012 Olympic marathon trials in Houston, Texas.

“We know Kara will make a fantastic addition to our team,” stated Michael Greenberg, president of SKECHERS. “This partnership strengthens our commitment to the Skechers Performance brand and adds tremendous credibility to what we are accomplishing. Integral to our strategy is working with top runners to develop performance shoes that exceed expectations. We believe elite athletes like Kara and Meb competing in Skechers Performance footwear further drives growth in this key division of our company.”

“I am excited to be joining the Skechers Performance Division,” said Kara Goucher. “The team is dedicated to making the best shoes possible for runners of all levels. They take direct feedback from athletes and apply it to their shoe development. Skechers Performance is willing to think outside the box in an effort to put their athletes first. I am honored to be joining this team and I look forward to a great relationship on and off the roads.”

“When our team first met with Kara you could sense immediately that this was a partnership both parties wanted to make happen,” said Rick Higgins, vice president of merchandising and marketing for Skechers Performance Division. “Kara’s passion and desire to win coupled with our design team’s determination to build the best running shoes make for a great partnership. We view this as another major leap forward in building product that resonates with athletes and those wanting comfortable technical footwear.”

Rocky Ridge Custom Trucks has signed a full-year sponsorship agreement with JR Motorsports.

The deal included associate branding on Chase Elliott’s No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet starting on the weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.

Based out of Franklin Springs, there Ga., link Rocky Ridge Custom Trucks is a family-owned and operated special vehicle manufacturer (SVM) for General Motors specializing in truck conversions and upgrades.

“We’ve always supported Chase in the Late Model Series, order ” said Trent Cawthon, vice president of Rocky Ridge Custom Trucks. “We’re excited to now team up with JR Motorsports and continue supporting Chase as he makes history in the Nationwide Series.”

“Rocky Ridge has been a big supporter of ours for a couple of years now, and I am excited and looking forward to them expanding their relationship to come on board with JR Motorsports and our Nationwide Series program,” said Elliott. “They provide an incredible service with truck conversions, and I know there are many NASCAR fans that will want to see what these guys can do. It’s impressive. I love what they did for my truck.”