VALVOLINE TO LAUNCH PROMOTIONS AROUND INDY 500

     Valvoline will put $11.5M into consumer promotions for the
Indy 500 and a NASCAR circuit-based giveaway program involving
55,000 retail outlets.  Valvoline plans an $8M promotion around
the Indy 500 that includes a watch-and-win sweepstakes where
viewers call a toll-free number to register their prediction on
the winner.  Leading up to the race, a $3.5M promo running
through May will center on a giveaway of illustrated collector
cards, celebrating 100 years of car racing.  The company will
also be a major sponsor of the Indy Fan Fest set for the 11 days
before the race.  Other sponsors of the Fan Fest, who paid "six-
figure fees" include:  Coca-Cola, Budweiser, SkyBox, Chevrolet,
Sears Craftsman, Sega, Williams Entertainment, Firestone and
Goodyear.  The NASCAR-based giveaway centers on the collector
cards which will be included in 10 million cases of oil.
Valvoline is No. 3 in the motor oil market, behind Pennzoil and
Castrol (T.L. Stanley, BRANDWEEK, 4/10 issue).