Full Throttle

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Bank of America joined the race for millions of loyal NASCAR fans Wednesday by unveiling two major marketing programs that will make the bank the lead sponsor of a televised pre-race show and a fall race not far from its downtown headquarters.

The deal makes Bank of America the title sponsor of the Nextel Cup race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in October. Starting in the fall of 2006, the race will be known as the Bank of America 500. The bank also will become a major sponsor of the track and four others owned by Concord-based Speedway Motorsports in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Atlanta and Fort Worth.

Financial terms of the agreement were not released.

In a separate deal, the bank will become the lead sponsor of the “Countdown to Green” pre-race show that airs on NBC and TNT.

Oops… I spoke too soon. Here’s the ATM slot. “Bank of America’s deal to officially sponsor tracks in Atlanta, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Dallas allows the bank to install ATMs, put up signs and offer more promotional events at all five tracks.”

Watch for beer sales to sky rocket!