Budweiser to sponsor Harvick in 2011.
Budweiser has released a statement that they will be sponsoring NASCAR Sprint Cup driver and Chase points leader Kevin Harvick and his No.29 Chevrolet from 2011.
Harvick’s team made the three year sponsorship deal public following his most recent win this weekend at the Michigan International Speedway. Budweiser will be the primary sponsor in 20 of the 36 points races next season with their colours and logos boldly displayed on Harvick’s vehicle.
Budweiser will also serve as an associate sponsor at the 16 other events. "The legacy Budweiser has in this sport is unmatched," Harvick said during the announcement. "Everybody knows the Bud brand. To have it on my car is an honour."
Harvick added: "Budweiser is one of the most respected sponsors in our sport. They do a lot to market their teams and the sport in television broadcasts and away from the track. I'm looking forward to driving the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet, taking it to victory lane and winning championships."
Budweiser also sponsored Kasey Kahne and his No. 9 Richard Petty Motorsport Ford. Kahne recently signed a deal with Red Bull for the 2011 season before he fulfills his multi-year contract with Hendrick Motorsport in 2012.
Before Kahne, Budweiser had sponsored Dale Earnhardt Jr. since his 1999 Sprint Cup debut. They remained his primary sponsor until he left Dale Earnhardt Inc. to move to Hendrick Motorsport. Bobby Labonte, Bill Elliott and Darrell Waltrip have also driven under the bright red Budweiser colours.
Harvick has won the non-points season opening race, the Budweiser Shootout, for the past two years. The first time his car will sport the company’s red and white colour and logo will be at that very event in 2011. Harvick will also adorn his car with his new sponsor’s colours for next year’s NASCAR All-Star race.
The deal with Budweiser came about after Harvick’s current sponsors, Shell and Penzol, announced they would be parting ways with Richard Childress Racing in order to move with Penske Racing, where they will sponsor former Cup series champ Kurt Busch. The deal Shell and Penzol made with Penske was very large, as it also includes sponsoring Penske’s IndyCar team.
RCR is still looking for companies to fill the remaining spots on the teams sponsorship inventory, but is looking forward to working with Budweiser. “Budweiser has such a rich history in our sport over 30 years,” team owner Richard Childress said. “The things they’ve done, not only with teams they’ve been involved with but to carry our sport to another level, have been great.”
Budweiser has been a NASCAR sponsor since debuting in 1983. At the announcement on Tuesday Budweiser and RCR had photographs displayed around the room, one of which showed Childress holding a can of Bud while working on his race car during the 1965 season.
“We see the opportunity to work with Richard Childress and RCR as something very, very special,” said Mark Wright, an Anheuser-Busch official. “The combination of Richard Childress Racing, Kevin Harvick and Budweiser, in brewing terms, strikes a perfect balance of ingredients.”
RCR hasn’t won a championship since 1994 with Dale Earnhardt, and hopes this new partnership will make it possible to win a championship again. “This can help take us to the next level,” said Childress of the sponsorship dollars that will make it possible for the No. 29 team to get the best equipment and technology.
Harvick has been driving for the company since Earnhardt’s fatal crash in 2001 at the Daytona 500. Harvick has 14 Cup victories in his career and is a two-time Nationwide Series champion.
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