CALL
IT THE NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED SERIES
Whelen Engineering, a Connecticut-based
manufacturer of emergency lighting and signaling devices, will
become the title sponsor of the NASCAR Modified Series in
2005. NASCAR and Whelen will also re-brand the series as the
Whelen Modified Series, NASCAR’s only open wheeled division.
Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president for
regional touring and the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, says the
change marks a new era for the series.
“Anytime you see a NASCAR Modified race,
you’re going to see something special,” said Hunter.
“Ever since NASCAR began, this division has maintained a
tradition of excellence and innovation that is unmatched in
motorsports. Under this new sponsorship from Whelen, a leader
in its industry, this series will continue to offer the
thrilling style of racing our fans have come to expect.”
In addition to sponsoring the Modified
Series, Whelen also enters into an automotive aftermarket
licensing agreement with NASCAR. Whelen will become the
"Officially Licensed Warning Lights of NASCAR."
“This is a landmark in Whelen’s support
of NASCAR racing,” said Whelen Motorsports Director Phil
Kurze. “Our products are becoming more closely integrated
with the sport and sponsoring this series is a great way for
us to support the teams, tracks and drivers that have helped
us grow our business. We’re proud to launch this new
partnership and bring the Whelen Modified Series into the
future.”
The NASCAR Modified Series was formed in
1985, when NASCAR set up a regional touring format for the
popular style of race cars that were the feature attraction at
many tracks throughout the Northeast. While the touring format
was new in 1985, Modifieds have been a part of NASCAR history
since the sport’s beginning. Modifieds were featured in the
sanctioning body’s first race, held Feb. 15, 1948 in Daytona
Beach, Fla.
Prior to 1985, drivers raced three or four
nights per week, at numerous individual race tracks holding
championship events, in order to accumulate points towards a
national championship. The touring series formalized the
procedure used to determine a NASCAR Modified champion.
Many of today’s NASCAR stars began their
careers in the NASCAR Modified division, including Geoff and
Todd Bodine, Steve Park and Jimmy Spencer. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup
Series crew chiefs Tom Baldwin Jr. and Greg Zipadelli are also
“graduates” of the Modified division.
Featherlite Trailers, the series’ title
sponsor since 1993, will remain involved with the series
through its sponsorship of the Featherlite “Most Improved
Driver” Award, which begins in 2005. This award includes a
$300 bonus given to the driver who improves the most number of
finishing positions compared to the previous race. In addition
to the race-by-race award, Featherlite will present a $3,000
year-end bonus to the driver who wins this award the most
amount of time during the season.
For over 50 years, Whelen Engineering has
researched, designed and developed warning and signaling
devices. Whelen’s innovations in LED and Strobe lightbars
and lightheads have set the standards for police, fire and
rescue, emergency, DOT, as well as maintenance and
construction equipment. Whelen has built state-of-the-art
aviation lighting since 1952 and its high power voice and
siren systems are heard around the globe. Whelen products are
designed and manufactured in the USA.
Whelen has been involved in several
motorsports programs, including team sponsorships in the
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series, NASCAR Grand
National Division Busch North Series and the NASCAR
Featherlite Modified Series. Whelen is also an active sponsor
of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, providing lighting systems
for tracks and pace cars and contributing to the series’
$1.7 million annual point fund.
