Walkinshaw Andretti United has today announced that NAPA Auto Parts will be the naming rights partner of its 2019 Wildcard entry to the Bathurst 1000, creating NAPA Auto Parts Racing.

The entry will be piloted by NTT IndyCar Series drivers, Alexander Rossi and James Hinchcliffe.

NAPA Auto Parts will join previously announced partners Virgin Australia, WheresMyConcrete and Polaris Materials’ Orca High Performance Concrete Aggregates.

The No. 27 Holden Commodore will don the NAPA blue and yellow, as well as Virgin Australia red and purple, in a livery revealed to the public in the coming weeks, supported by Ryco, NARVA, Bendix, Prostream, CRC, Monroe and Gates.

GPC Asia Pacific is part of the largest automotive parts company in the world, Genuine Parts Company, and have recently launched the iconic NAPA Auto Parts brand down under, by the combining of a number of separate businesses in Appco, Ashdown-Ingram, Autostop, Covs, Global Auto Parts, R&E, and Sulco, to form NAPA Auto Parts.

These combined businesses boast a proud heritage across Australia and New Zealand servicing customers for over the past 90 years, across a national network, delivering trade, industrial and mining solutions, supported by industry knowledge and leading brands.

Both Alexander Rossi and James Hinchcliffe will first get behind the wheel of the No. 27 NAPA Auto Parts Racing Holden Commodore at a three-day test at Winton Raceway on October 1-3.

Following that, the team will head to Mount Panorama for the Bathurst 1000 with Practice 1 to begin proceedings on Thursday, October 10.

Media are invited to attend the Winton test day on October 2. Please contact Andrew Wiles to make arrangements.

Mathew Nilsson - Walkinshaw Andretti United Co-Team Principal

“With such an iconic connection to Andretti Autosport and Alexander Rossi, it’s fantastic to have NAPA Auto Parts join us for the Bathurst 1000, especially after being able to witness first hand the passion for the brand in the United States this year.

“NAPA Auto Parts may be relatively fresh to the Australian market, but their history over the last 90-years through brands such as Ashdown-Ingram, Appco, Autostop, Covs, Global Auto Parts, R&E, and Sulco, shows how ingrained they are. We’re excited to watch them grow to new heights.

“Alexander and NAPA Auto Parts have shared some amazing achievements together in the NTT IndyCar Series, and we’re really excited about the opportunity to add to that in Australia, at Bathurst, alongside James Hinchcliffe.

“I’m sure the public are going to love the look of the car, and we cannot wait to show it to everyone in the coming weeks.”