|
INTERNATIONAL, POWER STROKE DIESEL TO RETURN FOR 2002 NCTS SEASON
Market-Leading Diesel Engine Maker To Again Sponsor
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Team, Driver Terry Cook In No. 29 Ford
WARRENVILLE, IL (January 14, 2002) - After a successful entry into the
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2001, International Truck and Engine
Corporation, manufacturer of the popular Power StrokeŽ Diesel engine for
Ford Motor Company, officially announced today that it will again sponsor
Terry Cook and the No. 29 K-Automotive Ford in 2002.
As with the initial 2001 program, International hopes to leverage the
overlap of truck owners and NASCAR fans to increase sale of the popular
Power Stroke Diesel engine powered Ford pickup trucks, vans and sport
utility vehicles through the sponsorship program of Cook and the team. After
garnering nearly $2 million in television exposure alone in just 14 Truck
Series events last year, the Power Stroke Diesel race truck will again be
seen by fans and potential diesel engine vehicle buyers throughout the
entire 23-event 2002 NCTS campaign at the tracks and on national television.
"NASCAR has proven to be an effective way for us to connect with loyal Power
Stroke Diesel customers and truck enthusiasts in general," said Dan Ustian,
president, engine group, International Truck and Engine Corporation. "Terry
Cook has proven to be a great spokesperson for us. Terry drives a Ford
Excursion with a Power Stroke Diesel every day and experiences the power,
performance and fun driving experience that Power Stroke Diesel trucks are
noted for. The 2002 season promises to be a great year for this marketing
partnership as Terry and the team delivers NASCAR excitement to race fans
across the country in the red and black No. 29 Power Stroke Diesel race
truck."
Cook, who grew up working on diesel engines in his father's automotive
repair shop, is a champion for the Power Stroke Diesel message of top
performance, reliability and economy, and has helped fans make the
connection between the on track performance of Power Stroke Diesel racing
and on the road performance of Ford Power Stroke Diesel trucks.
"We had a great season last year, thanks in big part to the support given us
by International," stated Cook, who finished seventh in the final 2001 NCTS
championship standings. "They came on board at midseason and we were able to
finish strong winning a pole at Nazareth (Penn.) and finishing second at
both Nazareth and Indianapolis. This year, we'll be looking to drive the
Power Stroke Diesel Ford F-150 to the front of the pack on the track and to
the to the top of the list of engine choices when fans are looking for the
best in performance and reliability when buying a new truck or SUV."
|