A multi-year partnership between Bumper to Bumper and Riverside International Speedway will see the continuation of the Bumper to Bumper 300 branding for the annual NASCAR Pinty’s Series race at Riverside, this year set for August 19.
“Bumper to Bumper was a fantastic partner last year,” said Paul McLean, general manager for Riverside International Speedway. “We are eager to continue developing the brand of the event for and with Bumper to Bumper as we move forward into 2017 and beyond.”
“It is with great enthusiasm that we look forward to associating ourselves with this important event by having the Bumper to Bumper 300 for the second consecutive year,” said Gary O’Connor, President and Chief Operating Officer of Uni-Select Canada. “As title sponsor of this Canadian-based racing event, we once again have the opportunity to imprint our premium brand into the hearts of Canadians. Our sponsorship of Kevin Lacroix, the talented driver of the Bumper to Bumper No. 74 car, makes sure that we are not watching from the sideline, but rather continuing to showcase that we endorse our Canadian roots and values by reaching race fans across the country.”
Key points in activation of the sponsorship include a custom-designed and Canadian-made winner’s trophy featuring the Bumper to Bumper name and logo, as well as naming of the event Grand Marshall and honourary starter. Fans who attend the event will have the opportunity to interact with Bumper to Bumper representatives and learn more about the company’s commitment to Canadian’s and their vehicle parts requirements.”
The Bumper to Bumper 300 is the only NASCAR Pinty’s Series event in Canada east of Québec; the NASCAR Pinty’s Series is the only national touring series in the country. The Bumper to Bumper 300 is the 11th annual visit for the series to Riverside, which enjoys the longest standing affiliation with NASCAR of any track in Canada. The Bumper to Bumper 300 will be nationally televised on the TSN family of networks.
In the last 10 years, the race has seen seven different winners including Antigonish’s Donald Chisholm who visited Victory Lane in 2014. Other winners include Mark Dilley, Don Thomson, Jr., Andrew Ranger, Jason Hathaway, and defending Bumper to Bumper 300 winner Cayden Lapcevich. DJ Kennington and Scott Steckly have two wins each at Riverside in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series.
Riverside is a favourite stop for NASCAR Pinty’s Series teams and fans with its high banks, fast track, and modern facility. Modeled after legendary Bristol Motor Speedway, Tennessee, when it was built in 1969, Riverside’s infrastructure was completely rebuilt in 2006 but maintained the renowned characteristics of the 1/3-mile oval with 440-foot-long straight stretches banked at six degrees, joined by turns banked at 14 degrees.
ABOUT UNI-SELECT
Uni-Select is a leader in the distribution of automotive refinish and industrial paint and related products in North America, as well as a leader in the automotive aftermarket parts business in Canada. In Canada, Uni-Select supports over 16,000 automotive repair and collision repair shops through a growing national network of more than 1,100 independent customers and corporate stores, many of which operate under the Uni-Select BUMPER TO BUMPER, AUTO PARTS PLUS® AND FINISHMASTER® store banner programs. It also supports over 3,900 shops and stores through its automotive repair/installer shop banners, as well as through its automotive refinish banners. In the United States, Uni-Select, through its wholly-owned subsidiary FinishMaster, Inc., operates a national network of automotive refinish corporate stores under the FINISHMASTER banner which services a network of over 30,000 customers annually, of which it is the primary supplier to over 6,000 collision repair centre customers. Uni-Select is headquartered in Boucherville, Québec, Canada, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol UNS.
The BUMPER TO BUMPER store banner is a turnkey program for auto parts wholesalers looking for complete program support, a strong brand image and a very aggressive go-to-market approach. BUMPER TO BUMPER was introduced to the Canadian Automotive Aftermarket in 1977 and entered the Uni-Select fold in 2006. Today, over 100 auto parts stores operate in Canada under the BUMPER TO BUMPER banner.
Riverside International Speedway is recognized as a premiere stock racing facility in Canada. The 1/3-mile high-banked asphalt oval roars to action several times a year for special events. It is the home of eastern Canada’s only NASCAR event, and of the IWK 250 – widely known as the best stock-car race in Canada. Located in James River, between New Glasgow and Antigonish, the facility is easily accessible at exit 30 on Trans Canada Highway 104. For more information please visit www.riversidespeedway.ca or call 902-863-2410.
