NASCAR: Richard Childress Racing extends two key sponsors

Richard Childress Racing has reached extensions with sponsors Caterpillar and Bass Pro Shops to appear on cars in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series.

Keeping your teammates close and your sponsors closer is key to finding success at the top levels of NASCAR. Many of the teams in the top three levels of stock car racing have had long-lasting relationships with corporate America that have led to great success in the sport. Richard Childress Racing is no exception, announcing this week extensions with two key partners for 2018 and beyond.

The Welcome, North Carolina-based team announced on Monday that Bass Pro Shops has renewed their sponsorship of RCR, agreeing to sponsor cars in the Cup and Xfinity Series. Ryan Newman will welcome Bass Pro and sister company Cabela’s to his #31 Chevrolet in 2018, including in the Daytona 500 and the Bristol Night Race in August. Select appearances on the #31 car will be done in addition to appearances by Ty and Austin Dillon in the #3 Bass Pro Shops / Cabela’s Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series.

Caterpillar Corporation will also continue their relationship as the anchor partner of the #31 Chevrolet of Ryan Newman in 2018. CAT has expanded their relationship recently with Newman into social media activation surrounding RCR and their business-to-business partnership. The familiar yellow, black, and white of the heavy machine company will be present in many races in the Cup Series next year.

Team owner and CEO Richard Childress had this to say about Caterpillar returning to the team, according to ESPN:

"“I am happy to announce the continuation of our partnership with Caterpillar and the #31 Chevrolet in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and interact with so many Cat dealers, customers and equipment operators through the past nine years. They are passionate about both racing and their Cat equipment, and I share their passion for both. I have used Cat equipment for many years and there is no better heavy machinery on the market. We’ve enjoyed our long-term association with Caterpillar, and helped them sell a lot of equipment over the years. I’m proud to represent the Cat brand.”"

Bass Pro Shops founder and CEO Johnny Morris is equally as excited about continuing to partner with RCR into the future:

"“I am very excited to continue our partnership with Richard Childress Racing and support three tremendous drivers – Ryan Newman, Austin Dillon, and Ty Dillon. Like so many of our loyal customers, we cannot wait to see Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s side-by-side on the race cars and in Victory Lane. We know many of our customers, conservation partners and associates have an affinity for NASCAR which has made our partnership with RCR so successful. We’re excited to get things started with the Daytona 500 in February.”"

Nigel Lewis, vice president of the Caterpillar Corporation, had this to add about the sponsorship deal:

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"“Some of our strongest brand ambassadors are found in our friends on the RCR team. Together, we share a commitment to teamwork, advanced technology and healthy competition. Because of our partnership with RCR, we have engaged and entertained countless customers over the years across North America, and built lasting relationships and strong customer loyalty as a result. We look forward to another exciting racing season and extending the relationship beyond the track, reaching a much broader group of our customers during our sponsorship throughout the year.”"

Next: Justin Fontaine moves to Trucks full-time in 2018

Stay tuned to Beyond the Flag for more announcements from teams throughout the NASCAR garage during the offseason and leading up to Daytona Speedweeks in February of 2018.

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