When fans see the No. 12 Team Penske Ford on-track this season, they may spot a slight change to the associate sponsorship presence on the car.
Through what is being called an “Innovative” partnership between Team PENSKE and Advance Auto Parts, the automotive parts retailer will sacrifice their logo as an associate sponsor to replace it with the names of local short tracks in the United States and Canada. Up to two race tracks will be featured each week, that are apart of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series.
Starting this weekend for the season-opening Daytona 500, New Smyrna Speedway will be featured on the car. The track, based in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, is a little over ten miles away from the World Center of Racing.
[NEWS] “I look forward to being part of this program, winning races and benefiting a lot of short tracks in the process.”
Advance Auto Parts, Team Penske Announce Innovative Partnership for 2021
? -> https://t.co/JNw7zlEElv@AdvanceAuto | @Blaney pic.twitter.com/BVA1rwJtrz
— NASCAR Regional (@NASCARRegional) February 11, 2021
“We are delighted to partner with Team Penske to advance local racing through this activation,” said Jason McDonell, Advance Auto Parts’s chief marketing officer. “We believe this program will create a sense of pride with each of NASCAR’s local tracks while drawing more attention to the vital role these tracks play in their communities. We proudly support Ryan and Team Penske and look forward to celebrating in victory lane with Ryan this season.”
Entering the second year of their multi-year agreement, Advance Auto Parts will serve as the primary sponsor of Blaney’s No. 12 Mustang in four races in 2021 including the Bristol Dirt Race in March, Darlington Throwback Weekend in May, Atlanta in July, and Richmond in September.
Should Blaney win a race in 2021 with a short track featured on his winning car, that venue will receive a $1,200 donation to be used for track operations, driver winnings, or to be donated to a charity of the track’s choosing.
“Every driver in the Cup Series garage got their start racing locally on short tracks, so it’s meaningful for me to carry the flag with Advance Auto Parts to represent NASCAR’s local tracks on my No. 12 Ford,” said Blaney. “I look forward to being part of this program, winning races and benefiting a lot of short tracks in the process.”
Blaney will look to score his first Daytona 500 victory this Sunday, February 14th at 2:30 PM EST on FOX and the FOX Sports app.
