The Automobile Racing Club of America, Procter & Gamble, and Menards today announced that the multi-national consumer goods corporation would become an official partner and major sponsor of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards beginning in 2019.
The announcement, which took place at ARCA’s pre-season open test at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, January 12, includes the news that P&G’s lead consumer paper products brand, Bounty, would become the naming rights sponsor of ARCA’s prestigious Rookie of the Year Program.
“Bounty, the Quicker Picker Upper, is excited to be an official partner of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, helping another generation of racers pick up wins more quickly,” said Jacques Hagopian, Bounty Brand Director. “Procter and Gamble brands have a storied history in motorsports, dating back to “The Tide Ride” made famous by Darrell Waltrip and Ricky Rudd.”
The Bounty Rookie Challenge will consist of per-race awards recognizing the Bounty Rookie of the Race and culminated by the season long Bounty Rookie Challenge Rookie of the Year Award, and the $10,000 bonus that accompanies it. Previous ARCA “Bounty Rookie Challenge” rookies of the year include four-time NASCAR race winner Chargin’ Charlie Glotzbach, 1973 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 1975 Daytona 500 winner Benny Parsons, former ARCA Racing Series champions Scott Stovall, Lee Raymond, and Bill Venturini, and 2019 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Davey Allison. Zane Smith won the award in 2018.
“We are excited to be partners with Procter & Gamble for the 2019 ARCA racing season,” stated Jeff Abbott, Promotions Manager and Spokesperson for Menards. “P & G has an extraordinary line of products available for sale at Menards and we appreciate having our name associated with their brands.”
The Menards / ARCA marketing partnership dates back to 2009, when Menards partnered with 10-time series champion Frank Kimmel. Menards assumed the Series Presenting Sponsorship role in 2010, and has been a prominent, strategic partner with ARCA the past 10 years.
“This motorsports sponsorship program is a direct result of the business-to-business relationship between Procter & Gamble and Menards,” said Mark Gundrum, Vice President of Business Development and Corporate Partnerships for ARCA. “The end result is increased business, product sales and sales promotion for Procter & Gamble and a number of their consumer brands.”
ARCA PR
