Sharpie inks Busch title deal for Bristol.

Sharpie values its relationship with Bristol Motor Speedway and race fans, so much in fact, the popular brand of permanent markers has announced a three-year title sponsorship of yet another major event at 'the world's fastest half-mile'.

The Sharpie Professional 250 is now the March stop for the Busch Grand National Series at BMS, marking the involvement of the Sharpie Professional chisel tip marker that writes on wet and oily surfaces.

"With Sharpie's 40th anniversary coming in 2004, our awesome connection with the folks at BMS and the unbelievable fans, we wanted to celebrate this milestone and the new Sharpie Professional marker by getting involved with another great NASCAR event," said group president Bob Parker, "The Sharpie Professional marker has industrial ink and an ultra-tough design that can take a beating - just like the cars at Bristol. We are certain that this new family of markers will be a staple in the garage, both during race weekends and in homes across the country."

Sharpie is also the title sponsor of the Sharpie 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup event at BMS, the premiere summer night race. The company recently extended its sponsorship of the August race through to the end of 2008.

"Because we strive to make every sponsorship at Bristol Motor Speedway a success for our marketing partners, Sharpie's decision to expand its sponsorship to promote the Sharpie Professional marker brand during the spring race weekend is very gratifying," said Jeff Byrd, president and general manager at BMS, "We take special pride that Sharpie is sponsoring major events during both the spring and August race weekends through at least 2006."

Sharpie is planning the race week's activities now that will include 40th anniversary festivities, sampling of the new markers, multiple interactive areas, exciting consumer promotions and the return of BMS defending champion Kurt Busch, driver of the #97 Sharpie Ford.

"We have won three out of the last four times at Bristol," Busch smiled, "I look forward to seeing if another Busch - my brother Kyle - can sign victory lane at the Sharpie Professional 250. Sharpie is such a great sponsor to be aligned with since they truly focus their efforts on the fans."