Toyota Signs Multi-Year Extension with Sonoma Raceway
Toyota, which celebrates its 10th year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2016, has served as co-title sponsor of the Toyota/Save Mart 350, as well as the raceway’s official vehicle, since 2007. The three-year extension will mark 13 years of sponsorship with Sonoma Raceway, making Toyota one of the facility’s longest-running sponsors. Toyota also signed on as title sponsor of the raceway’s NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing event, the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals (July 29-31), this year.
Last year, Toyota won its first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship with Camry driver Kyle Busch, who kicked off his championship run with a win in Sonoma. Toyota-powered teams compete in all three NASCAR premier series – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS), plus the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West.
Toyota has won 11 NASCAR manufacturer's trophies with three NXS (2008-2010) and eight NCWTS (2006-2010, 2013-2015). In addition, Toyota drivers have won six NCWTS driver titles – Johnny Benson (2008), Todd Bodine (2006 and 2010), Matt Crafton (2013 and 2014), Erik Jones (2015) – and one NXS driver’s championship with Busch in 2009. The 2015 NSCS driver's championship is the top prize by a Toyota driver in NASCAR since joining competition in 2004.
“Sonoma Raceway is one of the premier motorsports venues in the nation and our partnership enables us to showcase the freshest line up of cars, trucks and SUVs in the industry," said Steve Cornelius, president of the Northern California Toyota Dealer Advertising Association.
Toyota will also continue as title sponsor of the raceway’s annual Toyota/Save Mart 350 preview show on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. The 30-minute special, which airs during the month of June, has been nominated for a sports Emmy award in past years.
“Our partnership with Sonoma Raceway is a great opportunity for us to collaborate with the local Toyota dealers to reach and engage with NASCAR fans," said Keith Dahl, general manager, motorsports & marketing asset management, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. “Over the past 10 years we have enjoyed the opportunity to showcase the Toyota brand, experienced great racing in the beautiful Sonoma valley and celebrated four Toyota wins, including Kyle Busch’s triumphant return to the winners circle after his injuries last year. We look forward to continuing this rewarding relationship in both NASCAR and NHRA for years to come."
The agreement also includes hospitality, extensive signage, promotional rights and other assets during major event weekends in Sonoma, including comprehensive, interactive displays for race fans during the June NASCAR event.
“We could not be more proud of our association with the Toyota brand, their terrific lineup of cars and trucks and the outstanding group of dealers in our region," said Steve Page, Sonoma Raceway president and general manager. “We are grateful for their support of the raceway and our NASCAR and NHRA events, and look forward to working together for many years to come."