MATCO TOOLS EXTENDS SCHUMACHER RACING SPONSORSHIP

Matco Tools announced a multi-year sponsorship extension with Don Schumacher Racing's three-car operation. The agreement calls for the continuation of a primary sponsorship on the Whit Bazemore-driven Matco Tools Funny Car and associate sponsorships on Scotty Cannon's Oakley Funny Car and Tony Schumacher's United States Army Top Fuel dragster.

ADVERTISEMENT

Matco Tools association with Don Schumacher Racing began in 2000 as an associate sponsor on the team's Top Fuel dragster. The following year, Matco Tools entered into a primary sponsorship on Bazemore's Funny Car and in 2002 became an associate sponsor on Cannon's Funny Car.

In addition to Don Schumacher Racing, Matco Tools NHRA team involvement includes the primary sponsor for Craig Treble's Pro Stock Bike and George Marnell's Pro Stock car. Matco Tools also is an associate sponsor for several NHRA pro teams -- the Top Fuel dragster driven by Darrell Russell, the Funny Car driven by Bruce Sarver and Pro Stock cars driven by Mark Pawuk, V. Gaines, Darrell Alderman and Gene Wilson. [10-30-2002]

HEY JOHN, WHERE'S THAT ORANGE TOP FUEL CAR? OR YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN

ADVERTISEMENT

Well, it was supposed to be announced at the Las Vegas NHRA race, but it sounds like the long anticipated entry into Top Fuel racing from John Force Racing is on hold for now. Yes, they painted a Funny Car in the colors of a national home improvement chain for the sponsorship presentation at the corporate headquarters, but what was, "We'll get back to you in a couple of weeks" has turned into no deal. John had prematurely announced the "deal" in his post-race press conference in Sonoma.

The rumored Rocky Mountain beer deal has also gone flat as the advertising market for a lot of motorsports teams has tightened-up; it's even affected the King of Sponsorship, John Force! [10-30-2002]