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King Richard Petty Honored in STP's NASCAR Return

When the ‘King’ of NASCAR Richard Petty and fuel additives brand STP first signed a deal in 1972, few could have imagined it was just the beginning of one of the longest and most successful sponsorship relationships in motorsport. In twenty years, the King thrilled legions of top-line racing fans and rewarded STP with four NASCAR titles.

Petty retired in 1992, but almost 20 years later, the iconic STP Day-Glo red and ‘Petty Blue’ race colors were once again on track this weekend, heralding STP‘s return to top-line motorsport in its native USA.

The car on track pays tribute to the driving legend, with a livery that replicates that of Petty’s 1972 STP Dodge Charger. Under the Richard Petty Motorsports banner, the STP-sponsored NASCAR Ford Fusion was unveiled at Kansas Speedway, launching a full season for the team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series in 2011. It was driven by former Champ Car driver, A.J. Allmendinger, and sported Petty’s famous ‘43’ race number.

The landmark return to NASCAR is part of STP’s major re-engagement with enthusiasts worldwide, in line with a major development of its fuel additive and engine care product ranges. STP’s Renewed motorsport participation also includes NASCAR race and track sponsorships, and a return to big league NHRA drag racing. In addition, enthusiasts across Europe are being treated to the STP AF Corse Ferrari F458, contesting the FIA GT3 European Championship.

STP is also a founder sponsor of the UK-based Bloodhound Project - the bid to raise the World Land Speed Record to 1,000mph, which will be played out across a 14-mile land strip in South Africa in 2012/13.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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