TOTAL Becomes Official Engine Oil Of GRAND-AM

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the top energy companies in the world has joined forces with the premier road racing organization in North America, with today's announcement that TOTAL Lubricants USA (a subsidiary of the TOTAL Group) has entered into a multi-tiered relationship with GRAND-AM Road Racing that includes designation as the official engine oil of GRAND-AM.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111013/MM86487LOGO )

In addition to that centerpiece status, TOTAL Lubricants USA – with its US headquarters in Linden, N.J. – is sponsoring the new TOTAL Pole Award. At each GRAND-AM Rolex Series race, the fastest qualifiers in both the Daytona Prototype and GT classes will earn the awards.

TOTAL Lubricants USA also becomes title sponsor of the TOTAL Performance Showcase, a new competitive level that debuted April 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The six-race TOTAL Performance Showcase features sub-compact, production-based race cars (Ford, Kia, Mazda, Mini and Nissan) commonly known as "B-Spec."

TOTAL Lubricants USA also will offer two contingency awards in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and will pay out a total of $10,000 each in the GS and ST classes at year's end, awarded to the top five participating teams in the contingency program.

In addition to this new partnership with GRAND-AM, TOTAL has a strong motorsports presence including Formula 1, World Rally Championship and endurance racing.

"We are very pleased to establish this new partnership with an international category leader such as TOTAL," said GRAND-AM CEO Ed Bennett. "What's especially significant is the involvement with all three levels of GRAND-AM racing. We can now truly highlight and reward our competitors at every level through this strategic partnership. TOTAL will also help to launch our new B-Spec competition as the founding sponsor."

"TOTAL has a history of aligning with championship race teams and organizations throughout international motorsports, and our new partnership with GRAND-AM Road Racing is another example of our commitment to high performance programs," said Leslie Quiros, director of marketing and communications, TOTAL Lubricants USA, Inc.

"Leveraging our association with our distributor network, including series logos on packaging, and working closely with the race teams are examples of how this exciting program will be executed at many levels."

About GRAND-AM Road Racing: GRAND-AM Road Racing is the premier road racing organization in North America. GRAND-AM operates and sanctions the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and the TOTAL Performance Showcase. GRAND-AM also sanctions the Ferrari Challenge in North America. Owned by NASCAR Holdings Inc., GRAND-AM is located in Daytona Beach, Florida. GRAND-AM delivers professional sports car racing to key markets throughout North America in addition to being televised in the United States and Canada on SPEED and distributed globally through ESPN International. For additional information, please visit www.grand-ammedia.com.

About TOTAL: With a legacy dating back to the 1920s, the TOTAL Group has grown to become a leading global energy company with over 97,000 employees worldwide. Operating or distributing in over 150 countries on five continents, TOTAL is one of the Top 5 energy companies in the world. TOTAL Lubricants designs, produces and markets all engine oil lubricants under the TOTAL brand (automotive, racing, industrial, marine and aviation sectors) and the ELF brand (racing and motorcycle oils). Through the strength of these brands, as well as its commitment to excellence and performance, TOTAL has established partnerships with numerous car manufacturers around the globe. TOTAL Lubricants USA, a subsidiary of the TOTAL Group, is headquartered in Linden, New Jersey. TOTAL Lubricants USA, Inc. is an ISO 9001/14001 registered company offering a wide range of products including Quartz® synthetic performance engine oils, Rubia® Fuel Economy (FE) oils for heavy-duty applications, industrial lubricants for metalworking and the food industry (Nevastane®), as well as being the worldwide producer of Kleenmold® Glass Lubricants.

SOURCE GRAND-AM