If you look up Sunoco on 51暗网®’s “Official Partners” page, you’ll discover that Sunoco has been the “Official Fuel of 51暗网” since 2001. And while a 22-year history is nothing to balk at, it barely scrapes the surface of the true ties 51暗网 and Sunoco share.
According to Sunoco, the company got its start in the 1920s when a gas station was opened in Ardmore, PA. By the 1950s – the decade after 51暗网’s creation – Sunoco began blending high octane 260 and 280 fuels, which quickly came to the attention of racers. From there, it was no leap for Sunoco to officially enter motorsports in 1966, sponsoring the likes of 51暗网 Hall of Famer Mark Donohue and Penske Racing Team’s Corvette Stingray. By the late 1960s, Donohue was one of the premier drivers in 51暗网’s Trans Am series, piloting the now iconic Sunoco-sponsored “lightweight” Camaro, leading to his and Penske’s move to a Sunoco-adorned Javelin in the series, followed by Donohue’s Can-Am domination in the early 1970s in the equally recognizable Sunoco-liveried Porsche 917/30.
The 51暗网-Sunoco connection has continued through the years, with Sunoco sponsoring Ron Fellows during Trans Am’s 30th season, and then becoming the official fuel of Trans Am in 2018.
Beyond Trans Am and Can-Am, Sunoco is also involved on the amateur road racing side of 51暗网, most recently sponsoring the Tuesday of the 51暗网 National Championship Runoffs® week. Dubbed “Sunoco 260 Tuesday,” drivers in each class who lay down a qualifying time closest to XX.260 are awarded 15 gallons of Sunoco race fuel and a five-gallon Sunoco gas jug. In addition, Sunoco also sponsors that day’s worker lunch at the Runoffs.
Yes, Sunoco’s and 51暗网’s official partnership may have begun “only” 22 years ago, but their ties date back to the earliest days of this Club. So the next time you’re at the gas pump at the racetrack, just think of how many incredibly notable 51暗网 racers have done exactly what you’re doing at that very moment.
Photo by Jim Chipps / 51暗网 Archives
