Reaction has been overwhelmingly positive from grassroots race teams to MAHLE Clevite’s announcement earlier this year that the company would transition to the MAHLE white decal. The change from the Clevite blue decal is occurring throughout all NASCAR Series in 2008.
Mike David says even though the legendary blue Clevite decal has been replaced by the white MAHLE decal on the side of his No. 2 Bennett Lane Winery Toyota, it’s been “business as usual” with the bearings under the hood. David is the defending NASCAR Camping World Series West champion and is the current points leader for 2008. He grew up working at an auto parts store, selling Clevite bearings.
“The decal has changed, but under the hood it’s still the same reliable technology that we’ve come to expect from Clevite,” said David. “We are grateful for MAHLE Clevite’s continued support of grassroots racing.”
Bob Bruneau builds performance race engines for many cars that compete in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series; including the Don King-owned car No. 28 driven by James Civali of Meriden, CT. Bruneau is the owner of Bob’s Automotive Machine Company in Bristol, CT, and has used Clevite engine bearings during the past 33 years he’s owned his engine shop.
“I’ve used them and have trusted them all these years,” said Bruneau. “While most engine builders know about the MAHLE name change, most auto parts stores probably don’t know about this. But as far as I’m concerned the quality has not changed.”
Woody Pitkat finished second in the NASCAR All-American Series in 2007, with high hopes of taking the top spot in 2008. Pitkat, a native of Stafford, CT, was the 2006 NASCAR Weekly Series Division IV Champion and says he was aware of the decal transition from Clevite to MAHLE. “It’s a different name and logo, but it’s still the same great company,” explained Pitkat.
Pitkat primarily races out of Stafford Motor Speedway and Thompson International Speedway, which are both local Connecticut tracks. “The support of companies like MAHLE Clevite is important to those of us who are primarily weekend racers,” said Pitkat.
MAHLE Clevite’s grassroots NASCAR sponsorship includes the Canadian Tire Series in Canada, Corona Series in Mexico, Camping World Regional Series and Whelen All-American Series. The company is also a sponsor of the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series and Craftsman Truck Series.