DENSO Spark Plugs Power 3 NHRA Drivers to Victory in Indianapolis

Contact: Dan Alf
DENSO Products and Services Americas, Inc.
Phone: (310) 513-7353
dan_alf@densodrive.com

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Riding on DENSO spark plugs, Pro Stock Motorcycle driver Andrew Hines enters the Countdown to the Championship ranked No. 1 after racing to victory at the NHRA’s Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. The six-day event extended through the Labor Day weekend at the Lucas Oil Raceway, home of the world’s oldest and most prestigious drag race, to close out the 18-race regular season of the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

Hines locked up his final in 6.862 seconds at 194.63 mph. Other weekend winners racing on DENSO spark plugs were Jeff Lopez, who captured the Stock Eliminator trophy in 9.395 seconds, and Tommy Phillips, who bested the Super Gas field with a 9.973-second run in the final.

“DENSO is thrilled to be part of the action as the series advances to the Countdown to the Championship,” said Larry Fidance, manager of Marketing for DENSO Products and Services Americas, Inc. “It’s exciting that DENSO has powered so many drivers to the top 10 in their class.”

As the series enters the six-race playoffs that make up the Countdown to the Championship, Hines leads the Pro Stock Motorcycle pack with a total of 2110 points. Other leaders powered by DENSO spark plugs include the top three drivers in the Pro Stock class: Jason Line, Greg Anderson and Bo Butner.

Fans may still enter the DENSO2Win NHRA Sweepstakes for the chance to win an exclusive trip for two to the NHRA Finals, Nov. 10-13, in Pomona, Calif. The prize includes round-trip airfare from anywhere in the continental U.S., a three-day, four-night hotel stay, tickets to the 2016 NHRA Finals, and VIP access to the NHRA drivers. The deadline to enter is Oct. 16. DENSO is a supporting sponsor of the entire series.

At every race, DENSO welcomes fans to its display on the midway to learn more about and purchase DENSO’s premium Iridium TT, Iridium Power and Iridium Racing spark plugs. DENSO is also posting its own race and product updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube throughout the series. In early April, DENSO served as the title sponsor at the 17th annual DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas.

For nearly half a century, DENSO, a leading global automotive supplier, has sponsored world-class motor sports, including NHRA, NASCAR, Formula One, World Rally Championship and Super GT races. DENSO spark plugs, alternators, radiators and engine management systems are among the precision original equipment and replacement auto parts widely used by professional racing teams on every circuit around the globe.

More information on DENSO spark plugs, as well as DENSO’s comprehensive lines of auto parts, is available at retail stores, wholesale distributors and www.densoautoparts.com. The DENSO website is also designed for easy mobile access by smartphone and tablet.

About DENSO Products and Services Americas, Inc.
DENSO Products and Services Americas, Inc. is an automotive components sales, remanufacturing and distribution company that employs 500 people in Long Beach and Murrieta, Calif. The company’s product line includes heavy-duty and automotive alternators, starters, oil, cabin and air filters, spark plugs, AC compressors, oxygen sensors, ignition wires, fuel pumps, fuel injectors and wiper blades. DENSO Products and Services Americas supplies parts for original equipment service dealers, independent aftermarket service centers and retailers. In addition, the company distributes heavy-duty diesel and electrical components, portable commercial air-conditioning units and industrial robots. For more information, go to www.densoautoparts.com.

About DENSO Corporation
DENSO Corp., headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electronics, information and safety. Its customers include all the world’s major carmakers. Worldwide, the company has more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 38 countries and regions (including Japan) and employs more than 150,000 people. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, totaled US$40.2 billion. Last fiscal year, DENSO spent 8.8 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo and Nagoya stock exchanges. For more information, go to www.globaldenso.com or visit our media website at http://www.globaldenso.com/en/newsreleases/media-center/.

About DENSO in North America
In North America, DENSO employs more than 22,000 people at 30 consolidated companies and affiliates. Of these, 25 are manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the United States alone, DENSO employs more than 14,000 people in California, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Alabama and Arkansas. DENSO’s North American consolidated sales totaled US$9.9 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016. For more information, go to www.densocorp-na.com.

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