Montreal NBS race tabbed as NAPA Auto Parts 200

MONTREAL -- Stock-Car Montréal announced Monday that the NAPA Auto Parts 200 will be the official name of the inaugural Busch Series race on Aug. 4 at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

Officials from both organizations made the announcement at a news conference held Monday in downtown Montreal. Attending the media event were principals of UAP Inc., a Canadian leader in the sale and distribution of auto parts under the NAPA brand, and Busch Series driver David Reutimann. During the news conference, it was also announced that Reutimann will drive the No. 99 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry in the Montreal race. The number 200, part of the official name of the race, refers to the 200 miles (74 laps) of the main event on Saturday afternoon.

"We are pleased to officially welcome [Monday] UAP Inc. and the NAPA brand in this new chapter of Canadian and Quebec motorsport history," said Martin Spalding, general manager of Stock-Car Montréal

"As title sponsor of the first-ever NASCAR Busch Series race in Canada, the NAPA brand has partnered with an event that has a great future. With UAP and the NAPA Auto Parts 200, we have found the ideal partners with a network of stores across Canada that will enable us to reach racing fans nationwide."

"We are very happy to partner with the inaugural NASCAR Busch race in Canada -- the NAPA Auto Parts 200," said Robert Hattem, president and Chief Operating Officer of UAP Inc. "We are also pleased to have David Reutimann as the driver of the No. 99 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry.

"This combination will offer motorsport fans a unique experience at the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit in Montreal. We will do everything possible with our UAP NAPA stores and our customers across Canada to make this NASCAR racing weekend an exceptional annual event."

Reutimann, 37, the son of racing legend Emil "Buzzie" Reutimann, is currently fifth in the Busch Series standings.

"I am pleased to represent NAPA Auto Parts for the Montreal race," Reutimann said. "And also to be part of this new event on a road course that has a reputation for being very demanding.

"It will be an honor to compete on a track named after a great motorsport star. I and many of my fellow NASCAR Busch Series competitors are eager to participate in this event."

Tickets to the inaugural NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on Aug. 3-4 are currently on sale. The high demand from NASCAR fans this past fall prompted the organizers to add a new grandstand in front of the pit lane. To order tickets, fans can call 514-397-0007, seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, or order online anytime at www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca.