Mario Kart 8’s marketing campaign has been kicked into high(er) gear, with Nintendo partnering with GameStop to sponsor a car during NASCAR for the nationwide broadcast.

Branding for the upcoming Wii U game is being plastered all over the No. 20 Toyota for this week’s NASCAR event, a race being broadcast on ABC, SiriusXM channel 90, and PRN Radio.

There’s even a Joe Gibbs-produced video showing the Mario Kart branding being applied to Matt Kenseth’s car to get it ready for the big race.

Let us know if you’re happy with the way Nintendo is marketing Mario’s latest racer.

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Nintendo News: Mario Kart 8 Speeds onto Charlotte Motor Speedway for NASCAR Race

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– On May 24 the worlds of Mario Kart and NASCAR collide when Matt Kenseth races in the Nationwide Series History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the No. 20 GameStop sponsored car featuring Mario Kart 8 graphics. Kenseth’s car will be outfitted with artwork from the game showing Mario defying gravity and racing upside-down. A time-lapse video of the car getting wrapped can be viewed here:http://youtu.be/zdzfzOFIZWI.

On May 24 the worlds of Mario Kart and NASCAR collide when Matt Kenseth races in the Nationwide Seri ...

On May 24 the worlds of Mario Kart and NASCAR collide when Matt Kenseth races in the Nationwide Series History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the No. 20 GameStop sponsored car featuring Mario Kart 8 graphics.

The Mario Kart 8 game launches for the Wii U console on May 30. The latest entry in Nintendo’s beloved racing series introduces anti-gravity driving, fun online features, new characters and new power-ups like the Super Horn, Piranha Plant and Boomerang Flower.

Fans who plan to attend the History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will also get a chance to participate in a variety of fun Mario Kart 8 activities. Fans can try out their own racing skills at Mario Kart 8 gaming kiosks or get pictures with the Mario and Luigi costumed characters at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Fan Zone. In addition to the gaming demos, Mario and Luigi will be making a special visit to the track. These activities will take place on:

  • Saturday, May 24: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 25: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Additionally, fans who visit the Joe Gibbs Racing shop from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, May 23, will have a chance to play Mario Kart 8 before it launches, take photos with Mario and Luigi, and potentially receive an autographed Matt Kenseth poster or other Mario Kart goodies, while supplies last.

Mario Kart 8 is now available for pre-order at GameStop stores throughout North America. A deposit may be required for pre-orders. As an added bonus, a free Nintendo eShop download code from Club Nintendo is available for one of four great Wii U games when Mario Kart 8 is purchased and registered between midnight on May 30 and 11:59 p.m. PT on July 31. The download code must be redeemed in the Nintendo eShop on Wii U by11:59 p.m. PT on Sept. 30. For full details, visit http://club2.nintendo.com/mario-kart8-promo.

For more information about the game, visit http://mariokart8.nintendo.com/.

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