Pennzoil to Be Under the Hood of Top IZOD IndyCar Series Teams

HOUSTON, March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- After a 20-year absence from IndyCar racing, Pennzoil is returning to the sport in a big way. In addition to being back on the track through the brand's multi-year alliance with Penske Racing and Penske Corporation, the brand's premium Pennzoil Ultra™ Euro 5W-40 motor oil has been approved for use in all Honda Indy V8 engines that will compete in the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series. And the Pennzoil Ultra Euro formulation that will be used by IndyCar's top teams is the motor oil available to consumers today.

"Pennzoil is no stranger to Indy racing, so we are happy to add Pennzoil Ultra Euro 5W-40 to the short list of motor oils approved to keep our engines in pristine condition and working at optimum efficiency," said Roger Griffiths, Technical Director of Honda Performance Development.  "The engines we build are designed to deliver extremely high power outputs and reach very high engine speeds in each race, and our dyno testing has demonstrated that Pennzoil Ultra provides the top-tier lubrication performance that our engines require."

In 2011, Pennzoil embarks on a multi-year alliance with Penske that expands Pennzoil's motorsports presence to include the IZOD IndyCar Series. Pennzoil will be a primary sponsor of the No. 3 Shell V-Power-Pennzoil Ultra Dallara/Honda, driven by three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves.  Pennzoil Ultra Euro 5W-40 will be running in not only Helio's IndyCar, but the cars of each of his Penske Racing teammates, Ryan Briscoe and Will Power, as well.

Pennzoil has a long history of involvement in motorsports, beginning with Russ Snowberger in 1930.  Pennzoil's history in Indy car racing has been highlighted victories by esteemed drivers Johnny Rutherford (1980), Rick Mears (1984, 1988), Danny Sullivan (1985) and Al Unser (1987). 

"The opportunity to be in the engines of some of the top teams in Indy racing provides us with an environment to test our lubricants in extreme conditions," said Pennzoil Global Brand Manager Debbie Van Schalkwyk.  "Pennzoil scientists gain insights from the track that can be translated directly into the formulation of our consumer motor oils."

Pennzoil Ultra became a reality through the incredibly high standard set by the Pennzoil brand and delivered by Shell Lubricants technology teams around the world.  Years of collaboration resulted in a Pennzoil Ultra formulation that helps to keep engines as close to factory clean as possible, and far exceeds the most stringent car manufacturer standards for cleanliness and protection(1) – going beyond just lubricating and protecting an engine.

The Hyper Cleansing Technology™ built into Pennzoil Ultra™ plays a critical role in the engine. The oil lubricates moving engine parts to reduce friction and power loss, and helps keep the engine clean by seeking out and dissolving contaminants safely into the oil before they form deposits in the engine.

Pennzoil Ultra™ is available in SAE 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30 and 10W-60 viscosities. Pennzoil Ultra™ 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 viscosities can be found in major automotive retailers nationwide. Ordering information for Pennzoil Ultra™ Euro 5W-40 and 10W-60 viscosities as well as additional information can be found at www.pennzoil.com .

1) Based on GF-5, Ford, Chrysler, GM and Ferrari specifications

About Pennzoil

Pennzoil® is the no. 1 selling motor oil and one of the most trusted brands in America. The Pennzoil line of quality products meets or exceeds industry specifications to offer exceptional engine cleansing and protection, and includes Pennzoil Ultra™ motor oil with Hyper Cleansing Technology™, Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil Gold™ motor oil, Pennzoil® High Mileage Vehicle® motor oil, Pennzoil® Advanced Protection motor oil, and Pennzoil Marine® engine oil. For more information about Pennzoil products, please visit www.pennzoil.com

Pennzoil is produced and marketed by Shell Lubricants. The term 'Shell Lubricants' collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying 13.4% of global lubricants volume.(1) The companies manufacture and blend products for use in consumer, heavy industrial and commercial transport applications. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®,  Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX® and Jiffy Lube® lubrication services.

1) Kline & Company, “Global Lubricants Industry 2009 – 2019.”

SOURCE Pennzoil