HAMPTON, Ga., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Richard Childress Racing
(RCR) announced today that GM Goodwrench and The Hershey Company have joined
forces as co-primary sponsors of RCR's No. 29 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS driven
by Kevin Harvick in the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season.
GM Goodwrench will be the primary sponsor for 24 races, including the
Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The
Hershey Company, through its Reese's brand, will be the primary sponsor for 12
races, including the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"We see this as a great opportunity to extend our NASCAR program with a
brand like REESE'S," said Jim Moloney, General Director, GM Service and Parts
Operations Marketing. "We have had a relationship with The Hershey Company
through our involvement with Richard Childress Racing for five years now and
it continues to grow and prosper.
"When we analyzed our GM Goodwrench sponsorship program, we saw a great
opportunity to reach a much larger demographic audience by teaming up with The
Hershey Company. While it may be strange for fans to see the No. 29 Chevrolet
without GM Goodwrench as the lone primary sponsor, the opportunity for
additional exposure generated by REESE'S is too good to pass up."
These American icons first joined forces through the No. 29 team in 2001
when the REESE's Fast Break candy bar was the sponsor at the season-ending
race at New Hampshire International Speedway. In April 2004, ICE BREAKERS
Liquid Ice was the sponsor of the No. 29 at Texas Motor Speedway and, this
past August, REESE's Big Cup was the sponsor at Bristol Motor Speedway.
"The Hershey Company is very excited to team up with such a great
organization like GM Goodwrench," said Bob Goodpaster, Vice President,
Integrated Business Intelligence and Marketing Services, The Hershey Company.
"We've worked very well with GM in the past and feel arrangements like this,
involving major sponsors, are a wave of the future that will allow us to drive
higher levels of racing performance and excitement for our race fans. The GM
Goodwrench racing tradition, Richard Childress Racing and Kevin Harvick are
perfect matches for The Hershey Company and the Reese's brand."
GM Goodwrench began its sponsorship with RCR on the No. 3 Chevrolet driven
by the legendary Dale Earnhardt as an associate sponsor in 1986 before
becoming the primary sponsor in 1988. The Hershey Company began its associate
sponsorship in 2001 and is currently an associate sponsor of the No. 29 team.
It has also been the primary sponsor of RCR's No. 21 NASCAR Busch Series team
since 2003.
"We're very proud to have GM Goodwrench and Hershey's join forces as co-
primary sponsors on the No. 29 Chevrolet," said Richard Childress, president
and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "The marketing opportunities created by
this relationship will be great for all NASCAR fans. RCR has been fortunate
over the years to have won championships with both companies and our goal for
next season is to have both of these great American companies at the head
table in New York City."
Harvick and co-driver Johnny Sauter earned the 2003 NASCAR Busch Series
Owners Championship in 2003 in the No 21 PayDay Chevrolet. Harvick has three
victories this season in Reese's-sponsored RCR Busch cars (two in the No. 21
Chevrolet he shares duties with Brandon Miller and one in the No. 29
Chevrolet).
"I think this is an excellent opportunity for two great companies like
REESE'S and GM Goodwrench," said Harvick. "I think this relationship will
lead to great success both on and off the track for everyone involved."
About General Motors Corporation
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been
the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs
about 317,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32
countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. GM's global headquarters
are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM can be
found at http://www.gm.com. Genuine GM Parts and accessories are sold under
the GM, GM Goodwrench and ACDelco brands through GM Service and Parts
Operations, which supplies GM dealerships and distributors worldwide.
Goodwrench is the service brand for GM vehicles. With dealerships located
nationwide, the GM Goodwrench network is one of the largest automotive service
chains in the industry. For more information, visit the GM Goodwrench web site
at http://www.gmgoodwrench.com.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is a leading snack food company and the
largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and non-chocolate
confectionery products. With revenues of over $4 billion and more than 13,000
employees worldwide, The Hershey Company markets such well-known brands as
Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Kit Kat, Almond Joy, Mounds, Jolly
Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, and Mauna Loa, as well as innovative new
products such as Take 5 and Hershey's Cookies. In addition to its traditional
confectionery products, Hershey offers a range of products specifically
developed to address the nutritional interests of today's health-conscious
consumer. These products include sugar-free Hershey's, Reese's and York
candies, as well as Hershey's SmartZone bars for people seeking balanced
nutrition. It also markets Hershey's cocoa, Hershey's syrup and other branded
baking ingredients, toppings and beverages. In addition, Artisan Confections
Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company, markets premium
chocolate offerings, including Scharffen Berger, known for its high-cacao dark
chocolate products, and Joseph Schmidt, recognized for its fine, handcrafted
chocolate gifts. Visit us at http://www.hersheys.com.
About Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing (http://www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than
125 victories and nine NASCAR championships, including six in the NEXTEL Cup
Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. It was the first organization to win
championships in the NEXTEL Cup Series, Busch Series and Truck Series. Its
2005 NEXTEL Cup Series lineup includes Dave Blaney (No. 07 Jack Daniel's),
Kevin Harvick (No. 29 GM Goodwrench), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Cingular Wireless)
and Kerry Earnhardt (No. 33 Bass Pro Shops). Its Busch Series lineup includes
Clint Bowyer (No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet) along with Harvick and Brandon Miller
(No. 21 Reese's Chevrolet).
SOURCE The Hershey Company
-0- 10/31/2005
/CONTACT: David Hart, Director of Communications of Richard Childress
Racing, +1-336-731-3334 ext. 222, or email hart@rcrracing.com/
/Web site: http://www.hersheys.com
http://www.gmgoodwrench.com
http://www.rcrracing.com/
(HSY)
CO: The Hershey Company; GM Goodwrench; Richard Childress Racing; NASCAR
ST: Pennsylvania, Virginia
IN: AUT ENT FOD SPT
SU: JVN
NM-JS
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