International Truck and Engine Corporation Unveils New Race Trucks at Daytona
WARRENVILLE, Ill., Feb. 14, 2007 — International Truck and Engine Corporation, a Navistar company, today unveiled its two new race trucks for the 2007 NASCAR® Craftsman™ Truck Series. The No.10 International MaxxForce™ Diesel and No. 14 Ford Power Stroke® Diesel by International trucks are prepped and ready to take the track at the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
The two-truck team, which is part of an agreement with Texas-based Circle Bar Racing, is an expansion of the company’s motor sports marketing initiative designed to promote its leading consumer and commercial diesel engines. Both teams will be housed in the Circle Bar Racing shop in Concord, N.C.
This motor sports marketing program features two of the top 10-performing drivers in the 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, David Starr and Rick Crawford.
Starr, a veteran of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, posted one win, six top five and 12 top 10 finishes in 2006 on route to a fourth place overall finish in the point standings, which is his fourth top 10 overall finish in the past five years. He will drive the No. 10 MaxxForce International Diesel Power truck with Dennis Connor, three-time NCTS champion, as his crew chief.
“With four career wins, 34 top fives and 71 top 10s, David’s on-track performance is a perfect fit for MaxxForce credo — Always Performing™,” said Bob Carso, director of marketing and global brand strategy, International Engine Group.
Crawford, a seasoned veteran with five wins, 34 top five finishes and 66 top 10 finishes in his career, will be behind the wheel of the No. 14 Ford Power Stroke® Diesel by International truck, with Kevin “Cowboy” Starland as his crew chief.
“Rick has been the ‘Iron Man’ of the NASCAR® Craftsman™ Truck Series since 1997,” said Carso. “His racing style, on track performance and passion to perform falls right in step with the Power Stroke Diesel credo — Power, Performance and Fun to Drive™ — and makes him a perfect driver to represent the Ford Power Stroke Diesel by INTERNATIONAL® brand.”
The sponsorship of Circle Bar Racing will provide a platform for International Truck and Engine to market its lineup of commercial trucks and IC brand school buses, and help introduce its MaxxForce™ brand of commercial diesel engines, available exclusively in International vehicles beginning this year. The sponsorship will also see the continuation of the Ford Power Stroke Diesel by INTERNATIONAL program that has been a mainstay in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since 2002.
“We’ve learned over the past six years through our Power Stroke Diesel program, and our partnership with Ford Motor Company and the NASCAR motor sports community just how powerful a NASCAR marketing program can be,” said Carso. “This program has helped develop customer relationships, build brand awareness and, most importantly, increase sales. By expanding to a second team, we’re looking to use a similar model to grow our International commercial truck business and promote the MaxxForce family of diesel engines to the marketplace.”
“The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series provides a targeted platform for International Truck and Engine. Truck series fans are loyal, hard working people who understand, use and appreciate trucks. Rick Crawford and David Starr are a powerful combination that will represent our performance brands well,” added Carso.
International Truck and Engine
International Truck and Engine Corporation is the principal operating subsidiary of Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV). The company produces International® brand commercial trucks, MaxxForce brand diesel engines and IC brand school buses, Workhorse brand chassis for motor homes and step vans, and is a private label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and SUV markets. The company is also a provider of truck and diesel engine parts and service. A wholly owned subsidiary offers financing services. Additional information is available at: www.internationalengines.com.