Ingersoll Rand, a global leader in vehicle service tools and equipment, is excited to announce that they have renewed their 15-year partnership with Motorsports personality Ray Evernham. Fans of Evernham will get to meet the NASCAR legend when he makes an appearance at the Ingersoll Rand booth during SEMA 2011 in Las Vegas, NV.
Evernham is a three time NASCAR Champion, has been voted as the greatest crew chief of all time, won 17 Cup Series and five Nationwide Series races as a team owner, was an ESPN analyst, and continues to be one of the most respected NASCAR personalities and consultants in the business.
Ingersoll Rand’s partnership with Evernham dates back to the late 1990s, when he exclusively wore an Ingersoll Rand branded hat in the pit box during races. He also made appearances and was featured in several promotions for Ingersoll Rand.
“Ingersoll Rand is thrilled to continue to work with one of the most influential figures in NASCAR,” said Nate Schmid, marketing manager of vehicle services with Ingersoll Rand. “One of the great things about our partnership with Evernham is that he is not just in this partnership to have another sponsor, but rather he firmly believes in our products and has used Ingersoll Rand tools since he was introduced to them as a kid.”
Evernham grew up in New Jersey where his father operated a Texaco service station where Ray was introduced to Ingersoll Rand tools. When he started building race cars, Evernham always used Ingersoll Rand as his preferred name-brand of tools and equipment.
“I am truly excited about continuing my relationship with Ingersoll Rand,” Evernham said. “They are my longest partner relationship and even more than that I have used Ingersoll Rand tools my entire career. In fact, at every race, and for every championship I have ever been a part of, Ingersoll Rand tools have been in my tool box. They are a strong American brand for mechanics, and I am so proud to have the opportunity to continue to represent them.”
When Evernham left Hendrick Motorsports, he started Evernham Motorsports. The foundation he built in the pits was surrounded by Ingersoll Rand tools from the infamous Thunder Gun to air compressors. The Ingersoll Rand Thunder Gun is exclusively used by NASCAR pit crews and is designed for lightning-fast turnaround in rotating race car tires.
In 2007, thanks to his leadership and great strategic partnerships, Evernham was able to sell Evernham Motorsports in what was the largest transaction of its kind in NASCAR history. Ingersoll Rand continued its relationship with the team. Evernham moved on to start Ray Evernham Enterprises, a motorsports consulting business, which includes a car museum, race shop, race track, and a TV Personal Services provision entity.
Ray Evernham Enterprises continues to utilize Thunder Guns and other air and cordless tools from Ingersoll Rand and has also installed Ingersoll Rand security equipment and compressed air systems in the facility.
Fans of the legendary NASCAR star can see him at SEMA 2011. The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world and will take place November 1-4 in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Evernham will be at the Ingersoll Rand booth #10120 signing autographs and talking about Ingersoll Rand’s latest products on Wednesday, November 2nd at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
