Featherlite marks 15 years in sport with new hauler

CRESCO, Iowa -- In 1992 when Featherlite built its first racecar transporter for owner Richard Childress and the famous No. 3, it forever changed how racecars would be transported around the NASCAR circuit. On Feb. 29, Featherlite celebrated 15 years as NASCAR's official trailer with another milestone -- unveiling its new 'Featherlite One' race transporter at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The new Featherlite transporter will serve as a key service and communications outlet in the garage area at each race in NASCAR's top three premier national series.

In the garage area, 'Featherlite One' will be a prime source of information for crew members, media, sponsors, and fans with appropriate credentials, allowing them to view the latest race information, including timing and scoring, as well as weather updates. The transporter will feature external television monitors on the rear of the trailer.

Richard Childress and Mike Helton

The trailer also serves as office space for staff of the networks broadcasting the races, which includes ESPN and FOX in the first part of the season. The transporter features two slideouts that expand the interior work area for each network dramatically.

In addition, the trailer provides storage and space for Featherlite personnel who offer at-track support to Featherlite trailer customers at each race. Featherlite manufactures racecar transporters that haul the cars of many Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series teams, in addition to vending and hospitality trailers.

Featherlite is also the manufacturer of trailers for NASCAR that serve as office and meeting space for race officials and other personnel.

A special 'Featherlite One' unveiling event was held on Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, at the 'Featherlite One' transporter in the Sprint Cup garage area of Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The event also marked the celebration of Featherlite's 15th year as a sponsor of NASCAR, making it one of NASCAR's longest running sponsors. Special guests Richard Childress and NASCAR president Mike Helton, along with Featherlite vice president of sales and general manager Eric Clement spoke at the event.

Prior to Featherlite's presence in the NASCAR garage, many teams were restricted to trailer choices that were fairly standard with limited options.

"Fortunately for Featherlite, owner Richard Childress had a vision that there was a manufacturer out there who could provide more," Clement said.

A group of Featherlite executives and engineers were invited to tour Childress' shop and from that meeting, the first Featherlite race transporter was custom designed and built.

"What separated Featherlite from other trailer providers was a manufacturing process that didn't rely on pre-built frames but rather we could make a trailer from the ground-up all in our own facility," Clement said. "Because it was built from the ground-up, race teams had more choices in terms of options, features and the layout of the interior. We could truly custom design the trailer to fit their needs as a race team and reduce weight, while increasing durability and value."

In addition to racecar transporters, Featherlite manufactures dynamic mobile marketing and event trailers built to the specific needs of companies and organizations. Featherlite also builds mobile communication and command centers, as well as recruiting, medical units, museum, classroom, training and other trailers. If a company has a business operation or product, Featherlite can mobilize it.

Featherlite Trailers, headquartered in Cresco, Iowa, is a leading designer and manufacturer of aluminum trailers, including car, recreation, utility, horse, livestock and other specialty trailers, as well as racecar transporters for NASCAR and other major motorsports sanctions. Featherlite is part of Universal Trailer Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, the largest specialty trailer manufacturer in the United States.

In addition to its 'official trailer' status, Featherlite is the sponsor of the "NASCAR Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award."