King Racing, ICM Renew Partnership to Promote Ethanol
Jetmore, Kan.– 03.14.08 King Racing and ICM, Inc. have renewed their partnership to promote ethanol. ICM, a Colwich, Kan.-based engineering and construction management company specializing in ethanol fuel plants, has signed as King Racing's primary sponsor for the 2008 racing season.
The 2008 season marks the return of Danny King and King Racing to competitive sprint car racing. King took a one year hiatus after the death of his son, Steve, during the 2006 Knoxville Nationals.
Last year King was often seen helping turn wrenches on the #31RB, owned by Shane Bangerter. This year, King is ready to return to the track on a full-time basis.
"While racing will never be the same, I do enjoy being at the track," King said. "Losing Steve has been extremely difficult, but it also made me realize that the racing community is truly a family. I have been racing for over 40 years and there is no reason to stop now. Steve wouldn't want that."
ICM's sponsorship of King Racing first began in 2005.
"We are very pleased to continue our partnership with King Racing," said Dave Vander Griend, ICM's Chief Executive Officer. "Our initial sponsorship came about because of the King's commitment to ethanol. Naturally the accident that took Steve's life in 2006 put our partnership on hold, but when Danny made the decision to return to racing this year, we were eager to renew our partnership and continue the work we had begun."
Derek Drown of Amarillo, Tex., will pilot the new car with horsepower from a 360 engine and powered by ethanol-blended racing fuel. Donnie Stieben, from Jetmore, Kan., will serve as crew chief.
King Racing has retired the 88 number that was run by the family since 1975. The new car will be #e85.
"The use of e85 as the number seems fitting," King said. "We want folks to understand the benefits of putting ethanol-blended fuel in their own cars."
As the primary sponsor, ICM has chosen to develop a new paint scheme for the race car that focuses on the ethanol logo. The "e" logo will also be on the trailer and all promotional materials. Ethanol-blended racing fuel will power the #e85 sprint car at all events throughout the season.
Other key sponsors for the upcoming year include Reiben-Bangerter, P.A., Dodge City, Kan. and Conestoga Energy Partners, LLC, Liberal, Kan.
Ethanol is a high octane, high performance fuel that is clean burning, renewable and made in America. As a growing component of the United States' gasoline supply, it delivers improved vehicle performance while reducing emissions and improving air quality. For more information, visit
www.drivingethanol.org. About ICMICM is a privately held company that was founded in 1995 by President and CEO
Dave Vander Griend. Staying true to their vision and values is what built ICM into an industry leader in its first decade, and it's what will create continued success in the decades to come. For more information, visit
www.icminc.com.
About Derek DrownDerek Drown has been racing open wheel race cars for 13 years. His first three were spent racing micros. During this time he racked up 24 feature wins. Drown has taken the checkered flag his first 24 times behind the wheel of a sprint car. In 1999 he earned Rookie of the Year honors at Route 66 Raceway, Amarillo, Tex. The next year Drown was named track champion. In 2001 he began competing with the National Championship Racing Association (NCRA) series and again received Rookie of the Year honors. Drown is also the 2005 Hutchinson Nationals Champion.
About King Racing
Danny King began racing in 1975, when he and three friends together purchased a supermodified. Two years later Danny bought out his partners and continued to race as the sole owner. Since then King Racing has captured three championships within NCRA -1979 with driver Dave Frusher, 2002 and 2003 with Steve King behind the wheel. Over the past ten years, King racing as amassed eight top 5 and one top 10 series point standings. The sprint car team has taken home three consecutive victories at the Belleville Highbanks (2002, 2003 and 2004) as well the 2004 Hutchinson Nationals trophy.
