FORT WORTH, Texas, March 4 (UPI) -- The National Rifle Association will sponsor a Sprint Cup race next month, racetrack officials said Monday.
The April 13 NASCAR event at Texas Motor Speedway will be called the NRA 500, Speedway Motorsports Inc. president Eddie Gossage said.
Under the terms of the deal, the NRA secured a one-year agreement with an option to renew in 2014.
"The NRA has been involved in the sport for several years and a partner of Speedway Motorsports Inc., for many years in various aspects, and this race entitlement is just another extension of that business relationship," Gossage said.
"We look forward to another successful partnership with the NRA for our April race week of activities."
The NRA has become a lightning rod in the gun control debate for its vociferous opposition to restrictions on gun owners' rights in the aftermath of the December mass shooting of elementary school children in Newtown, Conn.
"NRA members and NASCAR fans love their country and everything that is good and right about America," NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre said. "We salute our flag, volunteer in our churches and communities, cherish our families, and we love racing."
