Kangaroo Express Sponsors NASCAR Driver

CARY, N.C. -- The Pantry Inc.'sKangaroo Express brand will sponsor Cole Whitt during the final race of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this Sunday.

Whitt, NASCAR No. 84, will be driving at the Ford 400 Sprint Cup race, taking place at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kangaroo Express said it was impressed by Whitt, who made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at the Kobalt Tools 500 in Phoenix on Nov. 13. Whitt finished 25th in that race.

"We have a common bond with the community of racing fans who are regular customers in our stores across the Southeast -- a love of stock car racing, this great country of ours and all the brave men and women who fight for it," said John Fisher, senior vice president of marketing at Kangaroo Express. "We are excited to sponsor Whitt, arguably one of the most promising up-and-coming racers, as he heads into this weekend's qualifying race."

Whitt is attempting to realize his dream of becoming a Sprint Cup driver this weekend. "We had a really good run in Phoenix for our first Sprint Cup race," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting back out on the track this weekend and am thankful to have the support of my fellow NASCAR fans at Kangaroo Express."

This sponsorship is not Kangaroo Express' first connection to NASCAR. The convenience store chain raised funds for the past three years for Victory Junction Camp, founded by former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his wife Pattie in honor of their son Adam. The charity provides a year-round camping environment for children with chronic medical or serious illnesses.

The Pantry operates 1,655 stores in 13 states. Kangaroo Express is its primary operating banner.