After 13 Years of Leading NASCAR, Sprint Will Lead the Field to Green in the Goody’s Fast Relief 500

By:
On:
In: Speedway News

For the last 13 years, Sprint has led NASCAR, by serving as the entitlement sponsor of the sport’s top series. On Sunday, they will once again be out front of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, but this time it will be in a more literal role, as Kimberly Meesters, the general manager of the NASCAR Sprint Cup sponsorship will serve as the honorary pace car driver before the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

“I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to say ‘thank you’ to Sprint for all that they have done in leading our sport than to have them lead the field to green at Martinsville,” Track President Clay Campbell said. “Over the past 13 years, we have seen huge growth in our sport and I think a lot of that can be attributed to the hard work that Sprint has put in to help build our brand.

“They truly embraced the role of partners at every level, from NASCAR to the teams and especially the tracks.”

While Meesters will be holding the steering wheel, she said she is just the representative for the entire Sprint family.

“It’s a very kind gesture from Martinsville Speedway to recognize us in such a visible way,” Meesters said. “We have really worked hard to be a member of the motorsports family and I think this is a great example of that coming to fruition.”

“Giving Sprint the chance to lead the field; it’s a fun thing, but it’s also a very symbolic thing that means a lot to everyone at Sprint.”

Meesters said looking back there are too many memories to list, but seeing the first class of inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Jimmie Johnson make history with five straight Sprint Cup Series championships, the start of the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup and the retirement of Jeff Gordon all come to mind as some of the highlights

“It’s impossible to pinpoint one thing,” Meesters said. “The one theme though, that we all talk about, is there has been something significant different every season. Literally when we came into the sport the highlight was that we could brand a flip-phone with a driver’s decal on it all the way up to forming a mobile app and having smart phones in everybody’s hands.

“The idea that it’s changed every year and it’s improved every year has been the most meaningful. It’s not the same today as it was in 2004 and that’s a good thing.”

The Goody’s Fast Relief 500 race weekend is this weekend.

The action starts on Friday with Virginia Lottery Pole Day and continues on Saturday with the Texas Roadhouse 200 presented by Alpha Energy Solutions NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is in action Sunday with the Goody’s Fast Relief 500.

Adult ticket prices for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 start at $55. Seats in the Bill France Tower are only $60.

Last year, Jeff Gordon took home his ninth grandfather clock trophy and was the first driver to clinch a spot in the Championship Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

The Goody’s Fast Relief 500 is the first race in the Round of 8 of the Chase.

Martinsville Speedway PR

Speedway Digest Staff
Follow Me
Latest posts by Speedway Digest Staff (see all)
Post Views: 55