Adam was peeved because he had known these boats by their original names, and he liked the old names better. I explained that they got those names when Ashland Oil had them built in the 1980s. Valvoline and SuperAmerica were two of Ashland's leading consumer brands. But when Marathon finished its acquisition of Ashland's refining and marketing assets a few years ago, the names no longer fit. Marathon changed all the old SuperAmerica to Speedway stores a few years ago. And Ashland kept Valvoline, so there is no need for Marathon to use one of its boats to advertise a brand that might compete with some of its own brands.
So the name changes were inevitable.
Here's a photo of the SuperAmerica downbound as seen above Rising Sun, Indiana. We got this last year while riding the Hoosier State after its christening.
3 comments:
Hope you are right about the Paul Blazer,there has been a Paul Blazer on the river for 69 years. The first Paul Blazer was built in 1941.I have a photo of the Blazer,Martin,and Tri-State all together at Ashland,Ky taken I believe in 1953.
I trust I'm not the only one who still refers to Speedway stores as "SuperAmerica" stores. A much better name, and their commercials were catchy.
Chuck, I've caught myself doing the same thing.
Anonymous, I think I've seen a picture like that. And I think that image was painted on the Catlettsburg floodwall, too.
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