DENSO Spark Plugs Power 7 NHRA Drivers to Victory near Chicago

― More racers than ever enter the Winner's Circle on DENSO Spark Plugs ―

News provided by

DENSO Products and Services Americas, Inc.

Jul 12, 2016, 12:41 ET

LONG BEACH, Calif., July 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A record number of drivers riding on DENSO spark plugs raced to victory in their classes at the recent K&N Filters Route 66 NHRA Nationals outside Chicago. Seven drivers relying on DENSO spark plugs repeatedly bested the competition over the July 7-10 weekend to reach the Winner's Circle at the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.

"DENSO is thrilled to be part of a winning combination for a growing number of teams in this year's NHRA Mello Yellow Drag Racing Series," said Larry Fidance, manager of Marketing for DENSO Products and Services Americas, Inc. "The series highlights the value and dependability of our spark plugs that drivers everywhere count on every day."

Winners racing on DENSO spark plugs were Greg Anderson, Andrew Hines, Brian Hyerstay, Dan Fletcher, Slate Cummings, Austin Williams and Mia Tedesco. Anderson shot to victory in 6.644 seconds at 209.01 mph in the Pro Stock final, defeating Bo Butner, who also races on DENSO spark plugs, by .023 seconds. Hines won the Pro Stock Motorcycle final in 6.858 seconds at 194.91 mph. Both Anderson and Hines are ranked second in their classes in overall points.

Hyerstay captured the Wally in the Competition Eliminator class in 9.294 seconds at 139.89 mph; Fletcher finished first in the Super Stock in 10.360 seconds at 116.44 mph; Cummings sped to victory in the Stock Eliminator in 10.323 seconds at 127.76 mph; Williams took the Super Comp trophy unopposed in 27.034 seconds at 42.51 mph; and Tedesco won the Super Gas in 9.926 seconds at 166.07 mph. Sunday's finish was especially sweet for Fletcher, who celebrated his 98^th career win.

The action-packed weekend in Illinois wrapped up the 13^th event in the 18-race regular season of the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello series. The teams are vying for one of the top 10 spots in each class to reach the playoffs and compete for the championship.

Fans are invited to 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 and launched the contest to celebrate the season.

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 17^th 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 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.