Something to cheer about: Race car sponsorship will have local flavor
December 18, 2007
Savage Energy, an energy drink produced by Salisbury-based Carolina Beverage Corp., will be sponsor for late-model stock car driver Ryan Robertson in 2008.
Savage Energy will back the 21-year-old Robertson in eight races in the United Auto Racing Association Series, which races mostly in North Carolina but also reaches tracks in South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
The area closely matches the main distribution area for Savage Energy, which Carolina Beverage Corp. debuted late last year.
"We are looking forward to getting the exposure and really getting Savage Energy's name out there through racing," said Tom Barbitta, vice president of marketing for Carolina Beverage Corp.
"This brand is about edge, aggressiveness and adrenaline, and the events give us a great way to promote this."
Carolina Beverage Corp. is best known as the maker of Cheerwine.
"This sponsorship just seemed to fit," said Mike Robertson, the racing team's owner and father of the young driver, who's trying to use the UARA series to catch the eye of a NASCAR race team and, at the least, get signed on as a developmental driver.
"Not only do we both celebrate a rich family history doing what we love, but there is also strong connection with speed and adrenaline in energy drinks and in this young, male-dominated sport."
Robertson, a third generation driver of stock cars, will be racing the No. 31 Savage Energy Chevrolet. Besides eight races in the UARA Series, Robertson will continue on the late-model stock car circuit in 2008.
In 2007, he started 44 races, captured one pole and won a race. He finished in the top five 18 times; in the top 10, 31 times.
At Friendship Motor Speedway in Elkin, he started 17 races and finished fifth in points.
At Bowman Gray Stadium, he made 22 starts and finished seventh in points. He also raced at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro and Myrtle Beach Speedway.
The Late Model Stocks division allows aspiring drivers the chance to compete in equipment resembling the Monte Carlo, Grand Prix, Taurus and Intrepid cars driven by NASCAR stars.
The primary sponsor for Robertson's three late model cars is Carolina Wood Floors of Winston-Salem. But it will be Robertson's first season competing in the UARA series, which has a 16-race schedule.
The UARA is the sanctioning body for the STARS (Southern Touring Auto Racing Series), which features a mix of championship veterans and up-and-coming rookies. Ross Furr claimed the 2007 UARA-STARS Championship.
Robertson has been racing for five years. In 2006, he finished second in ASA points standings and had 13 top five finishes in 16 starts. He was ASA Rookie of the Year in 2005.
Savage Energy comes in a wide-mouth, 16-ounce bottle with a resealable lid.