BK Racing and James Madison University (JMU) have partnered together for the September night race at Richmond International Raceway.
BK Racing, which is co-owned by former JMU Board of Visitors member Ron Devine (’78), will have its No. 83 car, decked out in purple and gold, driven by Matt DiBenedetto. The car features JMU purple prominently around most of the exterior with gold accent on the top and bottom. The car displays JMU’s full portfolio of Athletics’ logos in highly visible locations over the entire surface.
Devine said, “James Madison University is a wonderful university that is nationally known. We are excited to be able to display the JMU logos on the national stage through NASCAR. As an alumnus, I was glad to provide this sponsorship for JMU and Athletics as a way to support its strategic plan, national branding efforts and overall university pride. I want to thank all of the JMU staff and especially the JMU Foundation for supporting this effort. Hopefully this will be the start of many efforts like this to come. Go Dukes!”
The Federated Auto Parts 400 will take place on Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at RIR with live television coverage on NBC Sports Network. Tickets are still available. JMU boasts over 10,000 alumni in the Richmond metropolitan area as well as another 60,000 alumni within a two-hour drive of Richmond International Raceway.
“We are grateful to Ron Devine and BK Racing for this sponsorship opportunity to showcase our university and athletics program on a professional sports stage,” JMU Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said. “As part of our strategic plan, Engaged in Excellence, we are striving to increase the brand and identity of our athletics program nationally. BK Racing and NASCAR provide a unique platform for increasing the overall awareness of and affinity for our university and our sports programs.”
DiBenedetto, 24, is a candidate for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in his first season in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series. Through 20 starts, he sits 36th in the Sprint Cup Standings with 252 points. Prior to taking over the No. 83 Toyota Camry for BK Racing, DiBenedetto made his NASCAR Nationwide debut in 2009 and raced for two years with Joe Gibbs Racing.
“I am excited to have JMU on board my No. 83 BK Racing Toyota under the lights at Richmond,” driver Matt DiBenedetto said. “The car looks awesome, and it will be pretty neat to join forces with a university to promote both NASCAR and college football.”
BK Racing PR
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