INDIANAPOLIS -- In a landmark announcement, historic Indianapolis Raceway Park has been renamed O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis name and logo were unveiled during a press conference today at the multi-purpose motorsports complex. O’Reilly Auto Parts is one of the nation’s largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts.

The track entitlement agreement gives O’Reilly Auto Parts naming rights to the famed multi-use motorsports attraction, host of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the world’s oldest and most prestigious drag race, and the Kroger SpeedFest, which includes the Kroger 200 NASCAR Busch Series race.

From left to right: Eli Garner, O’Reilly Motorsports Coordinator; Ron Byerly, O’Reilly Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Training; Ron Anderson, O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis General Manager; and Kevin Greven, O’Reilly Manager of Motorsports unveiled the facility’s new logo at a press conference June 14 in Indianapolis. (NHRA Photo)

Selected as one of the world’s “Top 12 Shrines to Speed” in 2004 by RACER Magazine, O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis is located just west of downtown Indianapolis in Clermont, Ind. Owned and operated by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the facility thrives as one of the busiest multi-purpose auto racing venues in the United States and features a quarter-mile drag strip, .686-mile asphalt oval and a 2.5-mile road course.

“We are extremely proud of the relationship we have developed with O’Reilly Auto Parts over the years and are pleased to see the company expand its involvement with NHRA through this track entitlement,” said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. “As the host for the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals and many other key auto racing events, O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis is already recognized as one of the most tradition-rich and versatile multi-use motorsports facilities in the world. With O’Reilly’s support it will allow us to expedite the ongoing multi-phase improvement projects currently underway at the facility.”

It is the second NHRA-owned racing facility to sign a corporate partner, joining famed Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. NHRA also owns Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga.; Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway; and National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio.

The naming rights agreement comes at a time when the facility is in the middle of a modernization project. The remodeling project has included improvements to the racing surfaces on the drag strip and oval, as well as the construction of new skybox suites at the drag strip and installation of new SAFER-barrier walls at the oval track.

“We are extremely excited about this partnership with O’Reilly Auto Parts and feel it will be a great benefit for the racers, fans and extended motorsports community,” said Ron Anderson, general manager, sales and development director, O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. “We are proud to be able to provide O’Reilly Auto Parts with a significant branding and marketing platform at one of the nation’s busiest motorsports facilities, in the world’s auto racing capital of Indianapolis.”

The commitment increases O’Reilly’s involvement with NHRA. In addition to sponsoring O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, O’Reilly Auto Parts is the primary sponsor of six NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events, including the O’Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park; the O’Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway; the O’Reilly Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka (Kan.); the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis; the O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals at Memphis (Tenn.) Motorsports Park; and the O’Reilly Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas. The NHRA O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League is available for youths ages 8 to 17.

For O’Reilly Auto Parts, the announcement will help generate exposure for the company as it expands its business into the Indianapolis area. O’Reilly just opened a major distribution center in Brownsburg, Ind., which is located a few miles from O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.

“With this momentous track sponsorship agreement, we are able to continue our effective marketing and branding campaign through our involvement with NHRA and take that effort to another level,” said Ron Byerly, vice president of marketing, advertising and training, O’Reilly Auto Parts. “As an extremely active multi-purpose auto racing facility featuring all forms of racing, along with the vast history of the track and the city of Indianapolis’ commitment to motorsports, we felt it was very important for our company, which has shown a great dedication to supporting motorsports over the years, to be an integral part of that mix.”

O’Reilly Auto Parts is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. Founded in 1957 by the O’Reilly family, the company operates more than 1500 stores in 25 states.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has more than 80,000 members and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series’ provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series, NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program presented by AAA. The NHRA also offers the NHRA O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8-17.