Nationwide Series calendar announced
Together with the announcement of the new title sponsorship for NASCAR's second division, the stock car organization has issued the 2008 calendar for the renamed Nationwide Series
NASCAR confirmed that the insurance company has signed a seven-year deal to become the main sponsor of the series, which is expected to generate nearly $200 million in annual media exposure through their involvement.
"We are thrilled that we had the opportunity to select a partner in Nationwide Insurance who is as excited as NASCAR about taking the NASCAR Nationwide Series to even higher levels of popularity," said NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France.
"Nationwide Insurance is an ideal partner for NASCAR, advocating safe driving, and already serving millions of NASCAR fans with its auto, health, and life insurance. The company has a real passion for NASCAR, which will benefit our fans and all the participants in our industry."
Nationwide Insurance has taken over from Anheuser-Busch as the main sponsor of the series for 2008, following 26 consecutive years of the brewery backing the championship first with Budweiser and then with their Busch brand.
"Nationwide is excited about this long-term partnership and recognizes that NASCAR has the most loyal and dedicated fan base of any sport," said James Lyski, Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide.
"We look forward to putting tremendous energy and resources into supporting this sponsorship and advancing the profile of the NASCAR Nationwide Series."
The calendar for the maiden Nationwide Series season will feature 35 races, 26 of them being companion events to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the rest being 'stand-alone' races.
These latter ones will include the race in Mexico, which has moved from March to April and a second summer event in Montreal on August 2, following this year's success at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Feb. 16 Daytona International Speedway Feb. 23 California Speedway March 1 Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 8 Atlanta Motor Speedway March 15 Bristol Motor Speedway March 22 Nashville Superspeedway April 5 Texas Motor Speedway April 11 Phoenix International Raceway April 20 Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez April 26 Talladega Superspeedway May 2 Richmond International Raceway May 9 Darlington Raceway May 24 Lowe's Motor Speedway May 31 Dover International Speedway June 7 Nashville Superspeedway June 14 Kentucky Speedway June 21 The Milwaukee Mile June 28 New Hampshire International Speedway July 4 Daytona International Speedway July 11 Chicagoland Speedway July 19 Gateway International Raceway July 26 O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis Aug. 2 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Aug. 9 Watkins Glen International Aug. 16 Michigan International Speedway Aug. 22 Bristol Motor Speedway Aug. 30 California Speedway Sep. 5 Richmond International Raceway Sep. 20 Dover International Speedway Sep. 27 Kansas Speedway Oct. 10 Lowe's Motor Speedway Oct. 25 Memphis Motorsports Park Nov. 1 Texas Motor Speedway Nov. 8 Phoenix International Raceway Nov. 15 Homestead-Miami Speedway
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