More Fortune 500 companies involved in NASCAR

Nearly one-in-four (117) Fortune 500 companies use NASCAR as part of their marketing mix, according to an analysis of sponsors currently in the sport when compared to the magazine's annual list released this month. For the second consecutive year, the number of Fortune 500 companies involved in NASCAR increased; and is an eight percent improvement over 2008.

The analysis encompassed companies currently involved as a sponsor of NASCAR's sanctioning body, teams, tracks and/or as media partners. Findings from a study commissioned by NASCAR and conducted by Toluna prior to the start of the 2013 season show that approximately one out of four NASCAR fans strongly agree that they support NASCAR sponsors more than sponsors of other sports.

To be eligible for the Fortune 500, a company must be based in the U.S. and publicly traded. Though many companies on the Fortune 500 utilize NASCAR as part of their business-building strategy to develop their customer base, strengthen market share, and increase value for their shareholders, only industry partners, media partners, and licensees involved in the sport were counted in the analysis. Companies invested in the sport solely as advertisers were not counted.(NASCAR)