Nextant Aerospace Soars into NASCAR with ThorSport Racing and Johnny Sauter

LAS VEGAS, October 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• Nextant signs two-year commitment in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
• Championship contender No. 98 Sauter to pilot Nextant Aerospace Toyota Tundra
• ThorSport purchases a Nextant 400XTi to support racing activities

Cleveland-based Nextant Aerospace, the world leader in business aircraft remanufacturing, today announced it will join ThorSport Racing for the 2014 and 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series seasons. The No. 98 Nextant Aerospace Toyota Tundra, piloted by championship contender Johnny Sauter, is due to take flight with Nextant as primary sponsor beginning in Daytona for a total of 12 races per season and as associate sponsor throughout the duration of the alliance.

Nextant President Sean McGeough predicts a dynamic partnership:

"Sponsoring ThorSport is more than just a business relationship: we're both passionate about innovative technology and about keeping ahead of the competition. ThorSport faces particular logistical challenges in support of its demanding racing program and I'm delighted to think we'll be helping them to stay on schedule thanks to the speed, range and reliability of the 400XTi. It's a great example of how a business jet can multiply your effectiveness."

As ThorSport's pilot of the No. 98, Sauter is just as optimistic about the relationship:

"I am excited to represent Nextant Aerospace, a company that understands our drive to a championship," Sauter said. "To have them join our organization as we continue to test our limits makes for a perfect arrangement. Most importantly, Nextant has the same bold spirit as my driving - the will to win drives us every day."

"In the high-octane world of NASCAR you need the best people on your team," said ThorSport Racing owner Duke Thorson. "That's why we're partnering with Nextant. They know what it takes to build a winner - and so do we. They also know the importance of reliable, cost-effective transportation and that matters to us just as much as the glamour on the track."

Nextant and ThorSport Racing put special value on their shared Ohio heritage. For ThorSport it's a matter of pride that their recent success - including 12 wins, 110 top-5 and 245 top-10 finishes, and 14 pole awards - has been achieved despite their geographical distance from North Carolina where most other NASCAR teams are based. That distance makes it all the more vital to have fast, reliable air travel to support their racing operations.

Both companies have a reputation as entrepreneurial organizations whose independent thinking and pioneering attitude differentiate them from the competition. Together they intend to reinforce each other's brands, performance and sales.

"It makes perfect sense," said Thorson. "Two Ohio-based companies both focused on building their businesses, selling aircraft, and winning in their respective industries. Together, we will build brand identity for Nextant Aerospace in the motorsports world while continuing to run for championships."

"ThorSport is working closely with Nextant Aerospace to introduce them to the NASCAR nation, its sponsors and drivers as well as multiple other forms of motorsports," stated Matthew LaNeve, Vice President of Sales for ThorSport Racing. "Our sport is fueled by partner growth, and we are poised to help make the introductions that keep our Series growing and thriving through 2015."

The partnership between Nextant Aerospace and ThorSport was announced today in Las Vegas at the Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition attended by 25,000 visitors including over 100 journalists and more than 45 media partners. Also unveiled was ThorSport's NASCAR truck, which posed alongside the Nextant 400XTi jet at the Nextant static display at Henderson Executive Airport. The truck will make its on-track debut February 21, 2014 at Daytona International Speedway.

About ThorSport Racing

ThorSport Racing, based in a state-of-the-art 100,000 square-foot facility in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest-tenured NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport has run full-season Truck Series schedules annually since 1998. In 2013, their field consists of the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by Matt Crafton and the No. 98 Carolina Nut Co./Curb Records Toyota Tundra driven by Johnny Sauter. Additionally, the team fields the No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota Camry driven by Frank Kimmel in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. Kimmel secured his 10^th ARCA Championship in 2013, along with breaking the all-time win record (80 wins) in the season finale.

About Nextant Aerospace

Nextant Aerospace is recognized as the first company in the world to introduce aircraft remanufacturing to the business jet market. The Nextant 400XTi is a completely rebuilt Beechjet 400A/XP with Williams FJ44-3AP engines and the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21™ integrated avionics suite. The new aircraft also has major aerodynamic enhancements and an improved engine mounting configuration with redesigned nacelles and pylons. The 400XTi is delivered with a two-year full-aircraft warranty and after-sales support provided by a global network of owned and authorized service centers. Founded in 2007, Nextant is based in Cleveland, Ohio. Nextant is a Directional Aviation Capital company. For more information, please visit http://www.nextantaerospace.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @nextantaero or join us on LinkedIn.

Nextant Media contacts

Elizabeth Ricci    
Customer Experience Manager    
+1-216-797-8221    
[email protected]    

Richard Thomas
Communications Director
+44-7904-950-841
[email protected]   

ThorSport Media contact

Cortney Sauter
Public Relations
+1-704-277-7381
[email protected]

SOURCE Nextant Aerospace