This will be a good combination ....hard liquor and guns.
Springfield, Mass. (Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004) – Smith & Wesson (AMEX: SW
, the legendary 152-year old firearms manufacturer, today announces a new, multi-year partnership with SKI Motorsports to campaign a NASCAR racing entry beginning in 2005.
The Smith & Wesson/SKI Motorsports Chevrolet will make its competitive debut at the NASCAR Busch Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 12, 2005 . It is also scheduled to enter 2005 Busch series races that follow at Atlanta , Charlotte , Daytona, Bristol , California , Texas and Phoenix . Car number, driver lineup and team personnel will be announced at a later date.
“This is truly an exciting day for everyone at Smith & Wesson,” said Tom Taylor, vice president of marketing for the Springfield-based company. “NASCAR is absolutely synonymous with racing. Likewise, the Smith & Wesson name represents 152 years in the firearms industry providing the trust, quality and innovation that our customers expect for sports shooting, personal protection, law enforcement & military use worldwide. We are thrilled at the opportunity to go NASCAR racing with SKI Motorsports beginning in 2005.”
Taylor added that Smith & Wesson plans to aggressively support its NASCAR involvement by way of high-profile marketing programs featuring fan and customer promotions, as well as at-the-track activities including safety educational initiatives. A high percentage of NASCAR fans align very well with Smith & Wesson's overall marketing efforts.
SKI Motorsports, with race headquarters based in Charlotte , N.C. , is an independent organization of Bethlehem, Pa.-based sports marketing and entertainment representation agency SKI & Company, which also has offices in London and New York .
“We are extremely proud to play a role in Smith & Wesson's entry into the world of NASCAR racing,” said Chris Lencheski, president of SKI Motorsports. “Our company has a history of introducing new sponsors to motor racing and helping them get the most out of their involvement. Smith & Wesson is one of the oldest companies in America and is, without question, one of the most recognized brands in the world. They are thrilled to be joining the NASCAR family of sponsors, and we hope to make this a successful partnership both on the racetrack, as well as their drive to hit new and unique marketing targets via NASCAR racing. ”
Lencheski is a former partner in the Innovative Motorsports organization that campaigned NASCAR Busch Series entries for Kenny Wallace and Shane Hmiel and, most notably, brought sponsors Stacker2 and Mike's Hard Lemonade into the NASCAR realm.
While 2005 represents Smith & Wesson's first formal entry into the NASCAR racing ranks, the company is no stranger to major league sports competition. The Smith & Wesson Competition Shooting Team features two of the top precision shooters in the world – 12-time International Revolver Champion Jerry Miculek, and 10-time Masters International Champion Doug Koenig.
About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson is one of the world's largest manufacturers of quality handguns, law enforcement products and firearm safety/security product. The company also provides shooter protection, knives, apparel, footwear and other accessory lines. Smith & Wesson is based in Springfield Massachusetts with manufacturing facilities in Springfield and Houlton , Maine . The Smith & Wesson Academy is America 's longest running firearms training facility for law enforcement, military and security professionals.
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