Goulds Pumps to Sponsor McLaughlin and Innovative Motorsports

RICHMOND, VA --- Goulds Pumps announced plans today to sponsor driver Mike McLaughlin and the Innovative Motorsports Team in 2000 and 2001. In doing so, Goulds Pumps will continue a unique relationship with McLaughlin. The Waterloo, NY native grew up just 3 miles from the Goulds Pumps headquarters in Seneca Falls, NY.

"Mike McLaughlin brought us and ITT Industries into motorsports and it has been a very successful marketing tool for Goulds Pumps," said Don Radford, Goulds Pumps Manager of Motorsports. "Our customers have come to know Mike and his family over the past four years and we decided to continue our relationship with Mike at Innovative Motorsports. The decision was more of a decision to continue our relationship with Mike than to leave Cicci-Welliver Racing. We want to thank Scott Welliver and Frank Cicci for all their help the past three years."

Innovative Motorsports, owned by George deBidart, will enter into their third year of NASCAR Busch Series competition. The Innovative Motorsports Team captured their first win earlier this year at Pikes Peak International Raceway with Andy Santerre.

"We are really proud to have Goulds Pumps as a part of our team for next year," deBidart said. "It’s obvious that Mike and Goulds Pumps have developed a great relationship. We are looking forward to racing for the Busch Series championship with Mike."

McLaughlin, a six-year veteran of the Busch Series, made his decision in August to move to the Innovative Motorsports Team.

"It was a real tough decision to leave Cicci-Welliver Racing and start a new relationship with Innovative Motorsports," McLaughlin said. "It feels special to know that Goulds Pumps believes in my abilities and decided to continue our relationship. I don’t think I could ask for a better sponsor than Goulds Pumps, hopefully we can win some races together and contend for the title in 2000."

Goulds Pumps, Seneca Falls, New York, is part of ITT Industries, the world’s largest pump producer.