NASCAR and Camping World will announce on Tuesday that they have broadened their partnership giving Gander Outdoors the naming rights to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series next season, CATCHFENCE.com has confirmed.
Beginning in 2019, the national series will be rebranded as the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series. It will be the third entitlement shift since the series inception in 1995.
Camping World replaced Craftsman Tools as the title sponsor of the Truck Series in 2009. In 2014, NASCAR and Camping World signed a milestone seven-year agreement, continuing the partnership through the 2022 season.
Under the new agreement, the remaining years of the term stay intact, but the newly expanded endorsement provides official NASCAR status and naming rights to Camping World’s partner brand, Gander Outdoors.
Gander Outdoors, formerly known as Gander Mountain, was acquired and rebranded by Marcus Lemonis, Chairman of Camping World last May.
In February Gander Outdoors announced its title sponsorship of two July races at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Gander Outdoors 150 will run on July 28, while the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander Outdoors 400 is set for the following day, July 29.
“Nearly a decade ago we felt strongly our entitlement sponsorship would dramatically increase Camping World’s customer base and it’s delivered,” said Marcus Lemonis, Chairman of Camping World.
“We expect the passionate fans of NASCAR will embrace Gander Outdoors the same way they supported Camping World and we couldn’t be more excited about the future of the series.”
Lemonis has also hinted on social media that a potential Gander Outdoors car sponsorship is imminent.
Steve Phelps, NASCAR’s Chief Operating Officer believes the fanbase will embrace the Gander Outdoors label through what they expect to be a smooth transition in the naming rights transformation.
“Gander Outdoors’ customer base has an affinity to the outdoor lifestyle and will transition seamlessly as the title sponsor of our national series in 2019,” said Phelps. “The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has a consistent and dedicated fan base that will embrace the Gander Outdoors brand. This expanded agreement demonstrates our partners’ confidence in the on-track product and the power of our brand loyal fan base.”
NASCAR will also announce that as part of the enriched agreement, Camping World partner brands Overton’s and The House Outdoor Gear will also receive official NASCAR status. The agreements include rights to activate across all retail locations nationwide.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
