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Masterfoods USA To Sponsor Second Car at Robert Yates
Masterfoods USA announced today it will sponsor a second entry with Robert Yates Racing (RYR) in 2007 with Snickers® Brand as the primary sponsor. Veteran driver Ricky Rudd will return to RYR to drive after a one-year break from competition. Snickers® joins forces with M&M'S® Chocolate Candies, the primary sponsor for driver David Gilliland and the No. 38 team, making Masterfoods USA the only sponsor to have two brands from the same company on one team.
"The opportunity to sponsor a second NEXTEL Cup Team at Robert Yates Racing is exciting for both our brands and our associates at Masterfoods USA," said William Clements, director of Sponsorships and Sports Marketing for Masterfoods USA. "With this second sponsorship, we can now showcase other Masterfoods brands, such as Snickers, in partnership with M&M'S Chocolate Candies. The addition of Ricky Rudd, who provides over 30 years of experience, will bring added leadership for the entire organization as well as assist in the continued development of David Gilliland. We strongly believe that this additional sponsorship and Ricky's experience strengthen our program as a whole and positions both teams for great success in 2007."
"When we were looking for sponsors for the second team, we wanted a company that would complement the powerful brands Masterfoods USA represents. We could not possibly ask for a better fit than to add one of their own brands as the sponsor for our second team," said Robert Yates, team owner. "Masterfoods has been a loyal supporter of our sport for nearly 15 years and we look forward to our two teams being united under Snickers and M&M'S next season."
Rudd, a 31-year veteran of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, raced for RYR in 2000, 2001 and 2002. The Virginia native took home "Rookie of the Year" honors following the 1977 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season and went on to win races in 16 consecutive seasons, an honor he shares only with retired driver Rusty Wallace. One of NASCAR's Top 50 Drivers of all time and known as NASCAR's "Iron Man," Rudd currently holds the record for most consecutive starts at 788.
"We are excited to welcome Ricky back to the team," said Yates. "We all realize Ricky's talent and to have him return to the organization is a huge plus for us."
"When I took a break from racing at the end of 2005, I knew that I would return to competition if the right opportunity presented itself," Rudd said. "Returning to Robert Yates Racing and partnering with Snickers was the ride to get me back into competition full time. In today's market, you have to have a multi-car organization to be competitive and win races and with Masterfoods' support I believe we have the ability to do both of those next year.
"I look forward to working closely with David and Todd (Parrott, crew chief of the No. 38 Team) next season," Rudd continued. "David has shown tremendous talent in his time behind the wheel of a NEXTEL Cup car and with the resources we will share at RYR, our goal is to put Robert Yates Racing back on top."
2007 will mark the 14th season for Masterfoods USA as a primary sponsor in NASCAR's NEXTEL Cup Series and the fifth with the Yates family. The famous candy maker joined the NEXTEL Cup ranks in 1990, running its first three seasons under the Snickers moniker. After serving as an associate sponsor for four seasons, the company returned with SKITTLES® colors in 1997 before transitioning to M&M'S Brand Candies in 1999.
Joining Snickers to support the NASCAR program are PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs and Combos® Brand Snacks. Each will hold the primary sponsor position on the second car for a combined seven events during the 2007 season. Additionally, Masterfoods' brands TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, SKITTLES and STARBURST® will serve as associate sponsors on Rudd's Ford during the 36- race schedule.
Masterfoods USA, the United States food, snack and petcare operations of Mars, Incorporated, is one of the world's leading food manufacturers. With more than $5 billion in annual sales, the combined food, snack and petcare segments are a symbol of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in Hackettstown, N.J., Masterfoods USA employs more than 8,000 associates in the United States, with 38 manufacturing facilities nationwide. The company owns some of the world's favorite brands including M&M'S® Brand, SNICKERS® Brand, UNCLE BEN'S® Brand, PEDIGREE® Brand Food For Dogs, WHISKAS® Brand Food For Cats.
Masterfoods USA announced today it will sponsor a second entry with Robert Yates Racing (RYR) in 2007 with Snickers® Brand as the primary sponsor. Veteran driver Ricky Rudd will return to RYR to drive after a one-year break from competition. Snickers® joins forces with M&M'S® Chocolate Candies, the primary sponsor for driver David Gilliland and the No. 38 team, making Masterfoods USA the only sponsor to have two brands from the same company on one team.
"The opportunity to sponsor a second NEXTEL Cup Team at Robert Yates Racing is exciting for both our brands and our associates at Masterfoods USA," said William Clements, director of Sponsorships and Sports Marketing for Masterfoods USA. "With this second sponsorship, we can now showcase other Masterfoods brands, such as Snickers, in partnership with M&M'S Chocolate Candies. The addition of Ricky Rudd, who provides over 30 years of experience, will bring added leadership for the entire organization as well as assist in the continued development of David Gilliland. We strongly believe that this additional sponsorship and Ricky's experience strengthen our program as a whole and positions both teams for great success in 2007."
"When we were looking for sponsors for the second team, we wanted a company that would complement the powerful brands Masterfoods USA represents. We could not possibly ask for a better fit than to add one of their own brands as the sponsor for our second team," said Robert Yates, team owner. "Masterfoods has been a loyal supporter of our sport for nearly 15 years and we look forward to our two teams being united under Snickers and M&M'S next season."
Rudd, a 31-year veteran of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, raced for RYR in 2000, 2001 and 2002. The Virginia native took home "Rookie of the Year" honors following the 1977 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season and went on to win races in 16 consecutive seasons, an honor he shares only with retired driver Rusty Wallace. One of NASCAR's Top 50 Drivers of all time and known as NASCAR's "Iron Man," Rudd currently holds the record for most consecutive starts at 788.
"We are excited to welcome Ricky back to the team," said Yates. "We all realize Ricky's talent and to have him return to the organization is a huge plus for us."
"When I took a break from racing at the end of 2005, I knew that I would return to competition if the right opportunity presented itself," Rudd said. "Returning to Robert Yates Racing and partnering with Snickers was the ride to get me back into competition full time. In today's market, you have to have a multi-car organization to be competitive and win races and with Masterfoods' support I believe we have the ability to do both of those next year.
"I look forward to working closely with David and Todd (Parrott, crew chief of the No. 38 Team) next season," Rudd continued. "David has shown tremendous talent in his time behind the wheel of a NEXTEL Cup car and with the resources we will share at RYR, our goal is to put Robert Yates Racing back on top."
2007 will mark the 14th season for Masterfoods USA as a primary sponsor in NASCAR's NEXTEL Cup Series and the fifth with the Yates family. The famous candy maker joined the NEXTEL Cup ranks in 1990, running its first three seasons under the Snickers moniker. After serving as an associate sponsor for four seasons, the company returned with SKITTLES® colors in 1997 before transitioning to M&M'S Brand Candies in 1999.
Joining Snickers to support the NASCAR program are PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs and Combos® Brand Snacks. Each will hold the primary sponsor position on the second car for a combined seven events during the 2007 season. Additionally, Masterfoods' brands TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, SKITTLES and STARBURST® will serve as associate sponsors on Rudd's Ford during the 36- race schedule.
Masterfoods USA, the United States food, snack and petcare operations of Mars, Incorporated, is one of the world's leading food manufacturers. With more than $5 billion in annual sales, the combined food, snack and petcare segments are a symbol of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in Hackettstown, N.J., Masterfoods USA employs more than 8,000 associates in the United States, with 38 manufacturing facilities nationwide. The company owns some of the world's favorite brands including M&M'S® Brand, SNICKERS® Brand, UNCLE BEN'S® Brand, PEDIGREE® Brand Food For Dogs, WHISKAS® Brand Food For Cats.
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