WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the battle over below-cost selling and minimum-markup regulations waging, Dan Gilligan, President of the Petroleum Marketers Association of America last week appeared on CNN to present the independent marketer’s position on the issue. And in Friday's edition of USA Today, Gilligan presents the independent marketer’s case in a column titled, "Customer Ultimately Wins."

FINDLAY, Ohio – Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC and Pilot Travel Centers LLC have closed a deal that combines the companies’ travel center operations. Under terms of the deal, announced in March, the companies will each own a 50-percent stake in the combined operation, which formally launches tomorrow.

The combined operation, based in Knoxville, Tenn., will be the largest travel center network in the nation with more than 235 locations and approximately 11,000 employees, according to the companies.