Phoenix Int'l Raceway on Friday announced that CNBC's reality series, "The Profit," has joined the track's group of corporate sponsors and will title sponsor the March 2 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the track. Small Business Fueling America will serve as presenting sponsor. Camping World Chair & CEO Marcus Lemonis, whose company title sponsors NASCAR's truck series, hosts "The Profit" (PIR). NASCAR CMO Steve Phelps said Lemonis is a "great fan of the sport, a great supporter of the sport." Phelps: "He does so much for our sport, the entitlement of the Camping World Truck Series and obviously this fantastic announcement in Phoenix. It should be a great race (and I) just couldn't be more happy." PIR President Bryan Sperber said Lemonis "goes into small businesses and not just puts the small business on a path for success, but in many cases puts the people on a path for success, and I got to tell you, small business has been really important in the growth of NASCAR and so when we were able to pull this together with Marcus, it's incredibly exciting and I think our fans will be fired up for it." Lemonis said, "It wasn't a big investment. What was more important is getting the word out about small business, I think that's really the root of it" ("Street Signs," CNBC, 2/7). The show also served as title sponsor for the Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway last July (THE DAILY).
