In what is a "relatively recent phenomenon, engineers
have now become commonplace on" stock car racing teams,
"using their know-how -- and millions of dollars worth of
high-tech equipment -- to build cars that will go a fraction
of a second faster than the competition," according to
Christina Dyrness of the Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER. Dyrness
wrote that the "bland exterior" of the headquarters for NC-
based Richard Childress Racing Enterprises (RCR)
"camouflages a lab with top-shelf equipment," as RCR is
"setting up a technology center worth" $3M. RCR got
sponsors to donate the technology, "keeping out-of-pocket
expenses to a minimum." NC-based Okuma America is the
naming rights sponsor of the technology center, and Raindrop
Geomagic has also signed on (NEWS & OBSERVER, 12/18).
DUPONT TO PUMP BRANDS: In Richmond, Rea McLeroy wrote
that DuPont's renewed sponsorship of Hendrick Motorsports'
No. 24 Chevrolet and driver Jeff Gordon "allows DuPont to
showcase more technologies than its automotive finishes."
The DuPont name "no longer will be the dominant name
emblazoned on the car," as other Dupont-owned businesses,
such as Corian, Tyvek, Stainmaster, Nomex and Sontara, will
also now appear on the car. McLeroy called the move the
"latest sign of a sponsor trying to broaden the profile of
companies it owns" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 12/17).
FIT FOR A CHAMP: Lloyd Dunlap, President of Dunlap
Schultz & Assoc., which handles PR for Agie's sponsorship
with NC-based Joe Gibbs Racing, told THE DAILY that Agie, in
exchange for promotional rights, gives Gibbs Racing two
Electrical Discharge Machining systems used for specialty
metal-cutting valued at around $500,000 (THE DAILY).
