NASCAR sponsors come and go,
and seldom does one remain in the sport for very long without their program
providing a return on investment.
For Northeastern Supply
Company, that all-important ROI has always been met, and as a result, the Baltimore-based
company will commemorate its 20th consecutive season of NASCAR
Nationwide Series sponsorship in 2013 with associate support of JR Motorsports
and the #7 team of driver Regan Smith.
“Our NASCAR program couldn’t
be healthier,” said Northeastern President and CEO Steve Cook. “Many of our
customers, employees and vendors have supported our racing program from the
very beginning, and though I have always said that we would find something else
to do with our marketing dollars if this support began to wane, I can honestly
say that our program has only grown in stature and acceptance and has met all
of our expectations. We are thrilled to be able to continue this for a 20th
straight year in 2013 and with such a great organization as JR Motorsports and
driver in Regan Smith,” Cook added.
 |
| Smith scored at Homestead |
Northeastern Supply spent
the last four seasons at Turner Motorsports where it backed Jason Leffler’s effort
for three years and Justin Allgaier’s run last season. The company then struck
a deal with JR Motorsports during the off-season with JRM and driver Smith.
Smith is poised to be a strong contender for the 2013 Nationwide Series
championship.
Smith ran full-time in the
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series the last five seasons and most recently with Furniture Row
Motorsports. During those five campaigns, Smith earned his first career NASCAR
victory at Darlington, SC in 2011 in the Southern 500. He also notched three
top five and nine top ten finishes in his 165 career starts and led races in
every season but one in 2008.
When Regan’s Sprint Cup
Series contract with Front Row Motorsports was not renewed last season, JR
Motorsports officials promptly signed the Cato, New York native to drive their
#7 Chevrolets full-time beginning in 2013. Smith was also asked to drive the #5
Chevy in last year’s Nationwide Series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and
with the backing of team co-owner Rick Hendrick, Smith roared to victory in the
Ford Eco-Boost 300, signaling the possibility of great things for the 2013
season.
Northeastern Supply has
enjoyed solid team sponsor relationships over those 20 years and has aided the
efforts of some of the Nationwide Series’ top drivers. In addition to Leffler
and Allgaier, the Northeastern Supply logo has graced the race cars of other
notables such as Sprint Cup Series stars Kasey Kahne and Sterling Marlin, and
Nationwide Series regulars Jason Keller, Mike and Kenny Wallace, J.J. Yeley,
Phil Parsons and Hank Parker, Jr.
When Northeastern Supply
initiated its full-time NASCAR sponsorship program in 1994, the company had six
sales branches in Maryland and Delaware. Their NASCAR involvement has helped to
spawn growth that today spans 34 branches in five Middle Atlantic States.
“Despite the rough economy
the last few years, our business has remained steady,” Cook said.
“Giving our customers some
relief by entertaining them at the races and allowing them to meet their NASCAR
heroes up front and in person has paid off. The program has enabled us to
maintain our customer base and actually grow it, and to be able to now offer
them a program to follow that has our driver and car running up front, leading
races, challenging for wins and vying for a championship will only enhance the
experience. We’re excited to get the 2013 season started,” added Cook.
Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR
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