RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Nationwide will be the primary sponsor for Dale Earnhardt Jr. starting next season
under an expanded agreement with Hendrick Motorsports.
additional nine races for next season to push its total to 21. The deal runs through the 2017 season and
includes the Daytona 500.
"We’re thrilled to be deepening our partnership with the Hendrick Motorsports team," said Matt
Jauchius, chief marketing officer at Nationwide.
Nationwide is making its debut on Earnhardt’s car this weekend at Richmond International Raceway.
Earnhardt goes into Saturday night’s race ranked second in the Sprint Cup standings with three wins this
season, and the organization qualified all four of its cars for the Chase for the Sprint Cup
championship last weekend with Kasey Kahne’s win at Atlanta.
"That Nationwide has already elected to grow the sponsorship sends a clear message about the
opportunities they see and how well our teams are working together," team owner Rick Hendrick said.
"It’s quickly become a strong relationship, and we’re committed to building on that foundation and
delivering results in every facet of the program."
Hendrick Motorsports said Friday it is in discussions with the National Guard regarding its sponsorship
of the No. 88 Chevrolet. The guard said last month it was ending its sponsorship of motorsports
programs, but Hendrick says its contract runs through the 2015 season.
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