Watkins Glen gets sponsor for IndyCar race

Camping World Inc., a marketer and retailer of recreational vehicles and outdoor camping equipment, has signed a four-year contract with Watkins Glen International to be the title sponsor of the track's annual IndyCar Series race, WGI announced Wednesday.

The Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix will start at 3:30 p.m. July 8. The partnership extends through the 2010 racing season.

"We are honored to add Watkins Glen to our outstanding list of racetrack sponsors," Marcus Lemonis, president and chief operating officer of Camping World, said in a press release.

"WGI has a very large and loyal RVing fan base, not only during our IndyCar Series and NASCAR race weekends but throughout the entire season," WGI President Craig Rust said in the release.

Camping World has exclusive rights as Watkins Glen International's "Official RV Retailer, Recreational Vehicle Parts, Accessories and Services Provider." The company will also be named the Qualifying Day sponsor for NASCAR Nextel Cup Series qualifying on Aug. 9.

The Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix weekend will take place July 6 through 8 and includes the Corning Twin 100s Indy Pro Series races July 7 and 8, and the Historic Grand Prix and KONI Challenge events July 8.

Nine drivers from the Indy Pro Series will test today at Watkins Glen, and the public can watch free of charge. Andrew Prendeville, Joey Scarallo, Brad Jaeger, Mike Potekhen, Ken Losch, Robbie Pecorari, Jamie Camara, Wade Cunningham and Jon Brownson will be on the track from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets for the Watkins Glen Grand Prix weekend can be purchased by calling the Watkins Glen International ticket office at (866) 461-7223, logging on to www.theglen.com, buying online at www.racetickets.com, or stopping by at The Shop on 2 North Franklin Street in downtown Watkins Glen.