WELCOME, N.C. (January 25, 2011)—Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches and Richard Childress Racing have reached a multi-year partnership agreement for the franchised sandwich shop restaurant chain to be the primary sponsor for six races and an associate sponsor for the balance of the season for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team and driver Kevin Harvick.
The announcement was made today at the RCR facility as part of the 29th annual NASCAR Sprint Media Tour.
The partnership is a continuation of an established relationship between Jimmy John’s Franchise, LLC, RCR and Kevin Harvick, Incorporated. Jimmy John’s, based in Champaign, Ill., was a primary sponsor of KHI’s No. 33 NASCAR Nationwide Series program the past two seasons and was an associate sponsor of RCR’s No. 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team in 2010. Founded in 1983, Jimmy John’s has grown to more than 1,000 stores in 39 states throughout the U.S.
“Jimmy John’s is looking forward to moving it’s sponsorship up to the Cup level. To partner with Richard at this level is a freakin’ hoot, and to be a partner with Harvick is about as good as it gets. I’m excited and so is my 55,000 strong sandwich making employee team! We’re stoked.” said Jimmy John Liautaud, founder and CEO of Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches.
The 2011 season will be Harvick’s 11th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The Bakersfield, Calif., native was the point leader for 20 weeks in 2010, including the final 16 weeks leading into the Chase for the Sprint Cup. He entered the season finale with an opportunity to win the championship and finished third in the point standings on the strength of three victories and 26 top-10 finishes. He also won the Budweiser Shootout for the second consecutive year.
“I have really enjoyed my relationship with Jimmy John’s over the last couple of years at KHI, and I’m happy that we can continue working together on the Cup side,” said Harvick. “They have a reputation for being ‘freaky fast’ in their business, and I’d like to continue that motto on the track this year.”
RCR placed all three of its teams in the Chase for the Sprint Cup in 2011 and will return to a four-team program this season. Paul Menard joins Harvick, Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer as the drivers vying to bring RCR its seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. RCR will also field two entries in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, with drivers Austin Dillon and Joey Coulter, Jr., as well as Tim George, Jr., and Ty Dillon in the ARCA Racing Series.
“Jimmy John’s prides itself on providing a quality product fast which is exactly what RCR likes to provide its race fans on the track,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “RCR is proud to have Jimmy John’s join our growing list of partners who are the best in their respective fields, and we look forward to providing them with a quality product on the race track and in the marketplace.”
About Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shops
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shops was founded in 1983 by 19-year-old Jimmy John Liautaud in a converted garage in Charleston, Ill. Since its inception, the company has grown to over 1,000 corporate and franchised locations in 39 states throughout the U.S. The company is known for its obsession with fresh, quality products and high-speed execution. For more information, visit www.jimmyjohns.com.
About Richard Childress Racing 2011
Richard Childress Racing has earned more than 190 victories and 12 NASCAR championships, including six in the Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2011 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menard’s Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet) and Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet). Its Camping World Truck Series program includes 2010 Rookie of the Year Austin Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Joey Coulter, Jr. (No. 22 RCR Development Chevrolet). Tim George Jr. (No 31 RCR Development Chevrolet) and Ty Dillon (No. 41 Chevrolet) will compete in the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. For more information, visit www.rcrracing.com.