Part-time NHRA Pro Stock racer Mark Martino will welcome a new, non-traditional sponsor to the drag racing fold at the upcoming Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., as North American cookie maker Voortman, based in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, has signed on as the team’s primary sponsor at the popular late-summer stop on the NHRA Mello Yello Series tour. The sponsorship, which was arranged by Forward Sports Marketing, will involve activation of a new sales promotion with Menards, a major midwest retail chain.

As part of the promotion, Menards stores will begin carrying Voortman cookies in mid-August, head of the Brainerd event, to celebrate Martino’s race team sponsorship. Menards will carry Voortman’s popular vanilla, stawberry, chocoloate, and coconut-flavored wafter cookies.

“We are proud to represent a great Canadian company like Voortman Cookies and have the bright yellow Menards graphic scheme on our Pro Stock car at Brainerd. I think the race fans who shop at Menards will be just as excited as we are to have Voortman Cookies available through their 280 stores in the Midwest,” said Martino. “Brainerd is a special place for me as this track was the first place we raced in the NHRA Pro Stock class in 2010 and qualified for our first ever event here back in 2011.”

While continuing to compete on a part-time basis in the always tough factory hot rod division, Martino has stepped up his program considerably this season, with the addition of a Pontiac GXP chassis formerly campaigned by Kenny Koretsky’s operation, with horsepower provided by Cagnazzi Racing. To top it off, Martino has added esteemed crew chief Eddie Guarnacci Jr., along with Jamie and Jon Yates, the sons of former Pro Stock champion Jim Yates, to his team.

Martino’s bright yellow machine will be on display and the Ontario native will hold an autograph session on Thursday, August 15 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Menards store located at 15236 Dellwood Dr in Baxter, MN just 4 miles from Brainerd International Raceway.