The future move will allow for resource sharing between Grand-Am and NASCAR while both organizations continue to operate independently.
NASCAR Holdings is the legal operating entity that includes the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing and many of its subsidiaries.
Grand-Am, one of the world’s most competitive road racing organizations, and NASCAR, the No. 1 spectator sport in the U.S., will combine marketing and communications efforts to include brand management, research, marketing and public relations.
Grand-Am consists of six racing series, including the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series, which has millions of loyal fans.
“This combination of resources will benefit Grand-Am and NASCAR, their competitors and fans, as the two companies work together to enhance the two sports,” said Jim France, NASCAR vice chairman and Grand-Am founder.
The two racing brands will continue to independently sanction and officiate race events for their own series and there will be no change in management. Roger Edmondson will continue to serve as president of Grand-Am.
There has been a rise in crossover drivers and team owners between Grand-Am and NASCAR in recent years. NASCAR drivers such as Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Kyle Petty, Bobby Labonte, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kurt Busch and Jeff Gordon have raced in the Grand-Am Rolex Series.
Full time driver and 2008 Grand-Am Daytona Prototype team champion Scott Pruett has driven in many NASCAR events. Chip Ganassi and Richard Childress own teams in both sports.
The Grand-American Road Racing Association was established in 1999 and is based here.
NASCAR, celebrating 60 years of racing in 2008, holds 17 of the top 20 highest attended sporting events in the U.S., and is the No. 2 rated regular-season sport on television.
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Grumpy’s take: Good move for NA$CAR, the Rolex Sports Car Series, featuring the Daytona prototypes are exciting to watch. Perhaps this is what the NA$CAR fans need too. These guys are not afraid to mix it up and bump to pass.
Besides sharing the july event at Daytona, the Grand Am Series runs at Watkins Glen on the same weekend as NA$CAR.
The Grand Am Series is set to hold its season’s final event at the massive road course, Miller Motorsports Park in, Tooele, Ut. Watch for live TV coverage on SPEED.
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