The American Refining Group is making headlines in racing.
On Tuesday, the company announced that Brad Penn Premium
Pennsylvania Grade Lubricants has signed a two-year agreement with
Watkins Glen International raceway to be the sponsor for an
historic grand prix race held during the Camping World Watkins Glen
Grand Prix weekend, July 6-8.
The race – slated to begin at 11 a.m. July 7 – will headline
well-known, two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk and be
called the Penn Grade 1 Historic Grand Prix. It will feature 18
authentic vintage Formula One cars that competed at The Glen
between 1973 and 1982.
“It’s a great opportunity for the refinery and the brand,” ARG
President and Chief Operating Officer Harvey Golubock said Tuesday.
“We are sort of new at this with Brad Penn. I think it will provide
great support for our local distributors and get the Brad Penn name
out more prominently than it has been.”
Golubock said the relationship with The Glen has been in the
works for a couple of months.
“It’s an opportunity that came to us as a result of Kendall
canceling its longtime arrangements with The Glen,” Golubock said.
“We figured it was a natural for us to take over.”
The refinery is home to a full-line of lubricants that were
developed locally and touts more than 70 Brad Penn distributors.
Among the most recognizable private labels ARG handles are Gulf,
Valvoline and Castrol.
In May, ARG announced the addition of a Partial Synthetic SAE
OW-30 racing oil to its line of racing oils. The product is known
as “The Green Oil.”
“I’m delighted to welcome Brad Penn into our growing family of
regional partners,” Watkins Glen International President Craig Rust
said. “Our Indy Car weekend and the new Brad Penn 1 Historic Grand
Prix will become a summertime fan favorite, and we look forward to
working with Brad Penn in promoting their brand through this
wonderful event.”
Despite the agreement being for only two years, Golubock said
company officials hope it works out best for both parties, adding
the company needs to ensure it (race) fits in with its marketing
strategy.
“We hope to continue the relationship for a long time to
come.”
Dick Glady, director of branded lubricants marketing for ARG,
said “This unique opportunity allows us to properly showcase the
Brad Penn brand of racing and other motor oils right in our own
backyard. He also noted the longtime relationship between the
refinery and its brands and the raceway.
“This renewed association brings back many fond memories and
allows us to carry on the tradition of promoting our brand in our
major marketing area in support of our many distributors and
customers.”
ARG officials said the refinery’s major marketing area covers
the northern tier of Pennsylvania and the Southern Tier of New York
state.
“It’s such a natural fit for us,” Golubock said, adding he was
at the raceway on many occasions while he worked for Kendall. “This
is a big racing area and The Glen is a great venue. It attracts
tens of thousands of people to the races and is a great opportunity
to improve the exposure of our brand.”
The Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix weekend will include
the Penn Grade and Supercuts 200 races on July 7, the IndyCar
Series on July 8, and the Twin Corning 100’s Indy Pro Series races
on July 7-8.
The weekend will also include live music, a wine tasting,
children’s games and fireworks in celebration of the Independence
Day weekend. Officials also said the NASCAR Pepsi 400 viewing party
will be held on July 7 in the FrontStretch Grandstand live from The
Glen’s sister track, Daytona International Speedway.
Tickets for the race weekend, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series or
Zippo 200 weekend on Aug. 9-12 are still available. For more
information or tickets, contact the Watkins Glen International
ticket office, log onto the raceway’s Web site or stop by The Shop
at 2 North Franklin St., in Watkins Glen, N.Y.
