Tuesday, January 28, 2003 Year II of Valvoline Cup holds more Money, Merchandise for Grassroots Racers by Bill Catania LEXINGTON, KY. (Jan. 23, 2003) - The Valvoline Co. will continue its commitment to American grassroots racing with Year II of the Valvoline Cup national driver points championship. The top driver from across the country in each of the thirty-one Valvoline Cup classes were crowned national champions in 2003, while over 700 drivers received awards for their season long accomplishments with the awards going as far as thirtieth place in each class. Once again, the Valvoline Cup will be contested by virtually all drivers in all types and classes of wheel to wheel competition in all racing or track sponsored weekly racing programs throughout the U.S. Every driver will be awarded points for finishing positions in his or her own racing series, according to Valvoline and program administrator, RaceFan Inc. "This is a program for racers, no matter what series they run, no matter where they run," said Valvoline Sr. Vice President James V. Rocco. "The Valvoline Cup was created to spotlight grassroots racing and bring excitement and recognition to races who might not appear on TV every weekend. These racers are the bedrock of American motorsports and Valvoline is proud to support them once again," said Rocco. There are no Valvoline Cup rules with respect to the cars, tracks and racing. The rules of the tracks and sanctioning organizations under which each driver competes will govern that driver and the car. The Valvoline Cup will be a measure of the success of a driver within his or her racing program relative to the success of other drivers in similar cars within their program. The program calls for every driver being awarded points for finishing positions in their own racing series. In this way, a superstock driver can compete with a NASCAR Winston West driver, and a NAMARS driver can compete against a USAC driver all on equal foot- ing and all for the same trophies, merchandise awards and cash prizes. There will be thirty divisions for the 2003 program. Weekly updates for Valvoline Cup competition will be posted on a special Web site, www.valvolinecup.com. "Racers at all levels love competition," said Bill Catania, President of RaceFan Marketing, Birmingham, Alabama. "The Valvoline Cup once again lets racers from different series, different types of racing, compete on equal footing." Each of the 31 2002 Valvoline Cup national champions received a prize package valued just over $4,000, which includes $1,000 cash, Campbell Hausfeld equip- ment, (Campbell was presenting sponsor of the 2002 Cup), Valvoline Racing products support package for the 2003 racing season, Campbell Hausfeld and Valvo- line branded merchandise, Valvoline Cup champion's jacket, and a deluxe Valvoline Cup trophy. Drivers placing second and third received cash prizes in addition to merchandise from Valvoline and Campbell Hausfeld. Drivers placing fourth through thirtieth were awarded certificates, in addition to product rebates from Valvoline and Campbell Hausfeld. The remaining top finishers in the top 30 in each class received an award certificate and various product and merchandise items. The Valvoline Cup is only the latest evidence of Valvoline's support of grassroots racers. Valvo- line is a contingency sponsor in NHRA drag racing and for the past six years has been the No. 1 choice of motor oil by NHRA sportsmen-class racers at NHRA pro events. For the past 17 years, Valvo- line has sponsored the national championships for the Sports Car Club of America, the SCCA Valvoline Runoffs. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!