TPI Continues to Grow with ADRL, Adds Merchandise Program
NEW BERN, NC – Since 2004, the American Drag Racing League’s explosive growth has taken the drag racing world by storm. Much has changed in and around the ADRL, but Tysinger Promotions’ presence as one of the enduring forces behind the scenes of the organization has been a constant. At this past weekend’s Universal Technical Institute Dragpalooza VI at Houston Raceway Park, TPI marked its sixth year of providing complete promotional and event services for the ADRL.
“As the ADRL has grown, so has our involvement with them,” TPI President Wendy Stallings said. “What started out as simply doing media buys for an upstart company putting on its first race has evolved into complete event services for the fastest growing motorsports organization in America. The most amazing part is that it feels like we’re just getting started.”
TPI’s laundry list of services provided for the ADRL literally goes from A to Z. TPI has done it all over the past five years, from things as simple as hanging sponsor banners around the facility to something as involved as organizing and administering the ADRL contingency program, and everything in between.
“From the moment we arrive at the race on Thursday to the time we leave on Sunday, it’s a constant whirlwind of activity,” said Whitney Dowdy, Vice President of TPI. “We’ll organize the pre-race ceremony, take care of the sponsors and their respective suites, make sure all the trophies are in order, oversee the special awards, and finally, coordinate the winner’s circle festivities. It’s a handful, but we wouldn’t have it any other way and we ensure that it’s all done first class.”
In order to accomplish that, TPI has expanded to include two more event services coordinators, Angella Janssen and Paige Mitchell. This is Janssen’s second year of handling the ins-and-outs of the event services portion of TPI’s duties, with Mitchell coming on board for her first season.
“Every race is different, and there is always something new and unexpected that we need to handle,” added Executive Event Coordinator Katie Stewart. “But we take it in stride and, as Whitney said, make sure it’s done to the best of our abilities each and every time.”
In addition, beginning last weekend in Houston, TPI embarked on its most involved venture within the ADRL to date: a comprehensive merchandising program that features TPI’s complete control over all facets of the department.
“This is a completely new venture for us, and it allows us to use our creative abilities within the ADRL in ways we haven’t the opportunity to in the past,” said Dowdy. “We’ve worked closely with Kenny (Nowling, ADRL President) and his staff to create new apparel and other merchandise that we feel will be a big hit with the ADRL racers, sponsors, and most importantly, fans.”
The new line brings a trendy, vintage flair to the selection of men’s apparel while debuting fresh colors and a hand-painted, tattoo-inspired look for the ladies’ shirts.
“This is an important aspect of the American Drag Racing League’s business. They realize that and wanted to put it in competent hands for the 2010 season and beyond,” Stallings said. “We feel they’ve made an excellent choice by allowing us to administer the merchandise program and we couldn’t be more excited after getting off to a great start in Houston.”
