Interstate Batteries has just signed a new associate sponsorship with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Supercross/Motocross team under the banner of the JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha team for the remainder of the 2009 and full 2010 race seasons. 

JGRMX riders include California native, Josh Grant - No.33, currently fourth in supercross championship points and winner of the season-opening event in Anaheim, CA, and New Zealander, Cody Cooper – No.21.  Veteran tuner, Jeremy Albrecht, the team manager, earned 11 championships as a mechanic before coming to JGRMX.

“We’re excited about the impact this associate sponsorship with JGRMX can have on battery sales in the growing power sports market,” said Scott Miller, VP of CCE, “but it also helps us reach a younger audience that will soon be making their own battery buying decisions.  Over 73% of the supercross/motocross audience is under 34 years old,” Scott explained, “20% are 12 to 17 years old.  We’re making small, incremental investments in reaching the younger audience so when they have the bulk of the buying power, they’re choosing the Interstate Batteries brand,” Scott added.

Coy Gibbs, son of Joe Gibbs and brother of Joe Gibbs Racing’s president, J.D., is president of JGRMX.  “We’re so excited to be with Interstate,” said Coy, “because a majority of bikes now come with batteries.  We cater to the younger demographic, 18-34 year old males.  We are the exact opposite of NASCAR,” Coy explained, “they’re about 74% in the 30 plus demographic,  and we’re about 73% under 34.” 

Large Crowds Attend the Races and Tune in on National TV

Supercross/motocross is gaining in popularity and attendance.  “Supercross is now the second most attended motor sports event nationally behind NASCAR,” Coy pointed out. “It’s a lot bigger than most people think.  It’s doing great this year, our attendance is up, even in these tough times,so obviously it’s a sport on the rise.”

The supercross season typically consists of 18 races staged before audiences of 40-60,000 fans in stadiums in urban markets from January to May and is nationally televised on CBS and SPEED.  The motocross season includes 12 races running May through September on open courses located in more rural markets with average attendance of 30,000.  Motocross is broadcast nationally on NBC and SPEED with multiple airings  of each race.