Sauter Lands New, Multi-Year Sponsor

Cleveland-based Nextant Aerospace announced today that it will join ThorSport Racing for the 2014 and 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series seasons. The No. 98 Nextant Aerospace Toyota Tundra, piloted by championship contender Johnny Sauter, will take flight as primary sponsor beginning at Daytona International Speedway for a total of 12 races per year, in addition to associate sponsorship for the duration of the alliance.  

Nextant President Sean McGeough predicts a dynamic partnership:, saying, “sponsoring ThorSport is more than just a business tie-up. We're both passionate about innovative technology, and about keeping ahead of the competition. Now we're backing them on the race track, just as we back their new Nextant 400XTi jet wherever they fly."  

As the pilot of the new No. 98, Sauter is just as optimistic about the relationship, saying, "I am excited to represent Nextant Aerospace, a company that understands our drive to a championship. To have them join our organization as we continue to test our limits seems like the perfect arrangement. And most important, Nextant seems to have the same bold spirit as my driving - the will to win drives us every day."  

Nextant and ThorSport Racing are proud of their shared Ohio heritage. For ThorSport, its geographical location far from the majority of other teams in North Carolina, makes the organization’s NASCAR success -- including 12 wins, 110 top-5, 245 top-10 finishes and 14 pole awards -- all the more significant. As part of their new relationship, ThorSport Racing has acquired a Nextant 400XTi to support racing logistics.  

Both companies have a reputation as entrepreneurial organizations whose independent thinking and pioneering attitude differentiate them from the competition. Together they intend to reinforce each others brands, performance and sales.  

"It makes perfect sense," said Duke Thorson, owner of ThorSport Racing. "Two Ohio-based companies both focused on building their businesses, selling aircraft, and winning in their respective industries. Together, we will build brand identity for Nextant Aerospace in the motorsports world while continuing to run for championships."  

The truck was unveiled today in Las Vegas, Nevada at The Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition. One of the premier aviation events of the year, the partnership between Nextant Aerospace and TSR was introduced to 25,000 attendees, over 100 journalists and more than 45 media partners. The truck will make its on-track debut February 21, 2014 at Daytona International Speedway, where Sauter is the defending race winner.