robertlane Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 Shelby Automobiles to sponsor NASCAR Sprint Cup race at LVMS - Event extended by 18 laps and will be called Shelby 427 Team Shelby – The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1, 2009 will be sponsored by Shelby Automobiles. The event will be lengthened to 427 miles and will be called the “Shelby 427.” Together, LVMS and Shelby will market a Las Vegas Motor Speedway Limited Edition Shelby 427 package for the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO LVMS President Chris Powell and Shelby Automobiles founder Carroll Shelby made the announcement today at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. “We are ecstatic to have the legendary Shelby name on our 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup race,” Powell said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for us to give added exposure to the Shelby brand that has, over the years, become synonymous with the best in high-performance cars.” Bruton Smith, founder and CEO of LVMS parent company Speedway Motorsports, and Carroll Shelby have been friends for many years. “We are thrilled to combine the efforts of our two companies in this sponsorship,” Smith said. “Carroll and his team have long been known for the high quality of their work and the tremendous popularity of their cars.” Carroll Shelby has driven and designed race and sports cars for more than 50 years. His company, Shelby Automobiles, located its manufacturing facility at the speedway complex as the anchor tenant in 1998. The company uses the oval and road courses for its research and development. This is the first time Shelby Automobiles has sponsored a NASCAR event. “The Shelby name will be forever linked to racing because of our unrivaled success in competition over the years,” said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. “The Ford Shelby Mustang programs have allowed us to begin exploring motorsports options again. While we determine the series best suited to our products, we wanted to raise our profile in the racing community, and the NASCAR race next to our campus presented the ideal opportunity. Shelby was the first small American sports car and muscle car manufacturer to win world championships, and now we’re the first to sponsor a NASCAR race.” “We’re thrilled to have our name on the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Shelby 427,” Carroll Shelby said. “From drag racing to Formula 1, I’ve been involved in just about every type of motor racing except NASCAR. I love the competition, passion and excitement of the fans and teams in NASCAR. We’re offering real enthusiasts an opportunity to be part of something really special through this program.” Since its inception in 1998, the Sprint Cup race at LVMS has been run at a length of 400.5 miles, which is 267 laps around the 1.5-mile oval. In order to accommodate the new event name, the race will be increased by 27 miles and will feature 285 laps. As part of the one-year race sponsorship, Shelby Automobiles will market a Las Vegas Motor Speedway Limited Edition Shelby 427 package for the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang. Owners of 2007 and 2008 Shelby GT500s with the post title Super Snake package on their muscle car can purchase the limited edition “pace car” upgrade on a first-come, first-served basis by emailing shelby427@lvms.com. Shelby enthusiasts may have their names added to a waiting list for the package by emailing shelbywaitinglist@lvms.com. The upgraded package will include Mr. Shelby’s personal autograph as well as many other event-related add-ons. Only 427 of these packages will be available through Shelby Automobiles. Those who purchase a Shelby 427 package will also receive special race tickets and other amenities, including the opportunity to serve as the race’s honorary starter. The 2009 NASCAR Weekend will kick off with qualifying for the Shelby 427 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Friday, Feb. 27. The Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race is set for Saturday, Feb. 28. Tickets for all 2009 events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, including the Shelby 427 on March 1, can be purchased by calling 1-800-644-444 or online at www.lvms.com. Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. For more information visit www.speedwaymotorsports.com. Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby Automobiles Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), (www.shelbyautos.com), manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products. Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. (www.carrollshelbyinternational.com), also a wholly-owned division, is the exclusive holder of Carroll Shelby's trademarks and vehicle design rights. It also holds trademark rights for Shelby-branded apparel, accessories and collectibles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frydguy79 Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 most awsome Robert :happy feet: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT500-07 Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 here's another thread on the event http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=35908 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stpracer43 Posted November 8, 2008 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 Yes, indeed. How about an awesome Team Shelby event in the Southeast part of the U.S.? Not feeling much SAI love here in Dixie! Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY500SS Posted November 8, 2008 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 :happy feet: :happy feet: Hey Robert, Any chance Team Shelby can arrange group tickets for members to purchase ? Would be cool to have as many team family members there to support the Shelby 427. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilmor Posted November 8, 2008 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 Also, I think I will need a Shelby 427 banner for my garage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffJ Posted November 10, 2008 Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 Dave Despain had the announcement on his show this weekend. Should be an awsome event. I might have to try and make it out there for this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stpracer43 Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 Definitely ready to sign up for this big event! and even drive my car there and back... Now how about at least a small teaser, tid bit, or mere morsal of some kind of news about a future TEAM SHELBY/SAI event down here in the Southeast...? Please and thanks. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY500SS Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 I went ahead and purchased two tickets for Sundays Shelby 427. :happy feet: Hopefully Team Shelby will put something together for members. Maybe some sort of get together. I'll my SS if SAI can get me a good place to park, please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilmor Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 I went ahead and purchased two tickets for Sundays Shelby 427. :happy feet: Hopefully Team Shelby will put something together for members. Maybe some sort of get together. I'll my SS if SAI can get me a good place to park, please. Surely SAI has something being planned for this, being Shelby's first sponsorship of a NASCAR event! And, especially since Ilmor will be in town which is like an incredibly rare event! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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