Caterpillar to sponsor Jeff Burton and RCR's No. 31 Team in 2009
Caterpillar Inc. and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) have agreed to a multi-year
partnership for the No. 31 Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton beginning with the
2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
Burton, a 20-time winner in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition, is currently
second in the 2008 point standings with one victory, four top-five and 10 top-10
finishes in the season's first 15 races. The No. 31 team has made the "Chase for
the Championship" the past two seasons, finishing seventh in 2006 and eighth
last year.
"To represent a well-known global brand like Caterpillar is an honor," said
Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. "Cat products have played a big
part over the decades in construction projects at RCR, Childress Vineyards and
Yadkin River Angus. Jeff and I look forward to meeting the Cat dealers and
customers who loyally follow NASCAR racing."
The 2009 season will mark Caterpillar's 17th year of sponsorship in NASCAR. It
will also be Richard Childress' 40th anniversary in the sport.
"Success in the highly competitive environment of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
requires substantially greater levels of technology and investment than even a
few years ago," said Jim Parker, vice president of Caterpillar's North American
Commercial Division. "Joining Richard Childress and his team matches two
organizations that share common values, as well as high levels of success. I'm
confident this new partnership will excite Caterpillar's customers, dealers and
employees."
RCR has earned 11 NASCAR championships, including six in the Cup Series with the
legendary Dale Earnhardt, four in the Nationwide Series and one in the Truck
Series.
About Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 180 victories
and 11 NASCAR championships, including the 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series owners'
point title and six in the Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. It was
the first organization to win championships in the Cup Series, Nationwide Series
and Truck Series. Its 2008 Cup Series lineup includes Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack
Daniel's), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T).
Its Nationwide Series lineup includes Bowyer (No. 2 BB&T/Camping World), Bobby
Labonte and Stephen Leicht (No. 21 Chevrolet) and Burton and Scott Wimmer (No.
29 Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express).
