Wheels & Deals: O'Reilly To Be Official NASCAR Auto Parts Retailer

O'Reilly Auto Parts will become NASCAR's official auto parts retailer, filling an important category for the sanctioning body. The multi-year deal will give O'Reilly use of NASCAR marks and the NASCAR Performance automotive aftermarket marketing programs in store and media. Beginning next season, O'Reilly will offer a season-ending award in the Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck series to recognize a team effort on the track and in the pits (Michael Smith, SportsBusiness Journal).

VEGAS RACE TITLE DEAL: Shelby Automobiles will be the title sponsor for Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Sprint Cup Series event on March 1. The track is expected to announce the one-year deal later today at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. The race will be renamed the Shelby 427, meaning the race will be lengthened from 400 miles to 427 (Smith).

FAMILY MATTERS: With driver Paul Menard opting to leave DEI next season for Yates Racing, bringing with him his sponsorship deal with his father's Menard's hardware chain, NASCAR SCENE's Kris Johnson wrote in this "era of fiscal uncertainty, it might be better for a driver to have more money than ability." With Menard's family's "corporate backing, it is unlikely he'd be in a position to choose between teams for 2009 based on past performance" (SCENEDAILY.com, 11/3).

GETTING STALE? Driver Joey Logano, 18, has not finished better than 32 in his three Sprint Cup starts this season, and SI.com's Lars Anderson noted there already are "whispers in the garage -- and they're growing louder -- from a lot of people who don't think Logano is ready for prime time." But Anderson wrote once Logano next season works with new Crew Chief Greg Zipadelli, there will be "rapid improvement" (SI.com, 11/3).