Quaker State renewed its title sponsorship of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Kentucky Speedway. The race, which was held Saturday night, will keep its Quaker State 400 name through '22 (THE DAILY). Kentucky Speedway GM Mark Simendinger said that the extension "was validation for the hard work the track's team was putting in." Quaker State North America VP Jim McCormick said that the race "was perfect for his company because its products and the track share a reputation for being tough." He added that Quaker State was "doubling down on motorsports sponsorships" as racetracks are a "proving ground" for the company's oil (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 7/8).
GOOD CROWD FOR CUP RACE: In Cincinnati, Tom Groeschen reported Saturday night's race, which was won by Martin Truex Jr., "drew a sizable crowd," though there were "gaps here and there, per most NASCAR races nowadays." Official attendance totals "usually are a guessing game at major auto races," as tracks "rarely if ever announce attendance, leaving the media and others to speculate." However, speedway officials "could not have asked" for much more, as the weather was "perfect when the green flag dropped" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 7/9).
