FORT WORTH, Texas – Discount Tire will enhance its sponsorship with Team Penske next season as the world’s largest independent tire and wheel retailer will sponsor Brad Keselowski in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) for 10 races in 2018.
The expanded partnership for the longtime Team Penske partner will bookend the 2018 Cup season with Discount Tire sponsoring Keselowski’s No. 2 Ford in the Daytona 500 and the season-finale at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway next November.
The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company will also continue its presence in the NASCAR XFINITY Series next season and beyond serving as the primary marketing partner for multiple races on the No. 22 Ford Mustang with an expected rotating list of drivers.
The partnership between Discount Tire and Team Penske began in 2010 with the No. 22 XFINITY Series team that won six races and established a series record with 26 top-five finishes on its way to the championship won by Keselowski.
The relationship continued to produce titles as the No. 22 Discount Tire team earned three-consecutive NXS Owners’ Championships from 2013-2015. In total during their partnership, five Team Penske drivers have won 33 XFINITY Series races in a Discount Tire-sponsored entry, with Keselowski leading the way, posting 23 victories.
“Our partnership with Team Penske has been incredibly successful during an exciting time for our company,” said Discount Tire Chairman Bruce T. Halle in a press release.
“Roger and his team have been wonderful to work with, and of course, all of the wins and championships are fantastic. As we continue to expand Discount Tire across the country, we look forward to celebrating more successes with Brad and all of Team Penske as together we pursue the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship.”
Discount Tire will fill a void for Miller Brewing Company and its Miller Lite brand who will reduce its sponsorship of Keselowski in 2018 from 24 races to 11, the team announced Friday.
Keselowski, a native of Rochester Hills, Mich. says while it’s important for Discount Tire to keep a presence in XFINITY, their move to Cup brings their partnership together full circle.
“Discount Tire has been an important part of my racing life for a long time now,” said Keselowski. I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish together and of the relationships I have built over the years.
“It will be like coming full circle next year, as many of the current guys on the No. 2 Cup team were also with me during our 2010 XFINITY Championship run. It’s great to see this partnership continuing into the Cup Series while still maintaining an important place in the XFINITY Series.”
The No. 22 XFINITY Series team is also currently leading the Owners’ Point Standings with three races remaining in the season.
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff driver Ryan Blaney will the drive Team Penske’s XFINITY Series car this weekend at Texas with the Discount Tire sponsorship. He will make his 12th start of the season and aim for his third win of 2017.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
