Nexteer Automotive Partners with Richard Childress Racing
"Nexteer has been part of NASCAR competition for many years. Our base hydraulic steering systems that have made production vehicles safe and fun to drive are also used in the Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series," said Luis Canales, Nexteer director of corporate affairs. "Nexteer's and RCR's shared history of innovation and reliability is a perfect fit. The Nexteer team looks forward to expanding our role in the thrilling world of NASCAR to grow our brand and engagement with our global customers and employees."
The multi-billion dollar Tier 1 automotive supplier will serve as a primary partner on the No. 33 Chevrolet driven by Rookie of the Year contender Brandon Jones in the XFINITY Series for select races in 2016. Nexteer will serve as a major associate partner on the No. 33 Chevrolet for the remainder of the races.
Nexteer will also have a presence in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as a major associate partner for select races with Ty Dillon.
"We appreciate that Nexteer Automotive's focus on investing in R&D, product development and growth aligns with RCR's similarly focused engineering and technological mindset," said Torrey Galida, president of Richard Childress Racing. "We are honored to be able to provide a global automotive leader in Nexteer a platform to showcase their strong technological innovation and connect with their customers."
Nexteer is currently leveraging its broad electric power steering portfolio, patented driver assistance technology and deep vehicle integration knowledge to enhance the driver user-experience in a world with autonomous vehicles.
Austin Dillon and Ty Dillon to drive Rheem Chevrolet Camaros in 2016
After recording its most successful racing season ever as a NASCAR sponsor, Rheem Manufacturing Company (Rheem) returns as a NASCAR XFINITY Series primary sponsor for Richard Childress Racing's No. 2 Chevrolet team with Austin Dillon and enhances their program as a primary sponsor for select races on the No. 3 Chevrolet with Ty Dillon for select races. Rheem, a global leader in heating, cooling and water heating products, will serve as an associate partner on both Chevrolets for the 2016 season.
"RCR has a legacy of leadership and commitment to excellence that provides a first class showcase for the Rheem family of quality brands," said JR Jones, Rheem President and CEO. "Rheem's customer-first culture produces industry-leading innovations, inspired new technologies and thoughtful designs that deliver a new degree of home comfort and energy efficiency to customers worldwide. So, Rheem is very pleased to partner again with RCR and to have the opportunity to thank our customers and recognize our brands through RCR's winning NASCAR tradition. We wish RCR much success in 2016 and beyond."
Rheem has a history of success with RCR, with their relationship dating back to 2007 as a primary or associate partner in various NASCAR series. Rheem has been the official heating, cooling and water heating provider to RCR for more than nine years.
"Our partnership with Rheem has proven to be a successful one for all of us at RCR over the years," said Richard Childress, CEO and chairman of Richard Childress Racing. "Rheem and RCR both represent quality, durability and overall performance, making this a great relationship. Rheem focuses on providing their customers with reliable and innovative comfort solutions and a commitment to continuous improvement, operating in a similar way RCR approaches our business. We appreciate the support Rheem has given us and expect to make 2016 another great year."
Austin Dillon will drive the No. 2 Rheem Chevrolet under the RCR banner during the 2016 XFINITY Series season while maintaining a full schedule in RCR's No. 3 Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series where Rheem will serve as an associate partner on that entry. The Rheem team competed in multiple XFINITY Series events in 2015 and tallying it's most dominant performance ever as a NASCAR sponsor, collecting four victories, a series-leading seven pole awards, 13 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes.
"Our Rheem team had a strong season last year with a lot of success," said Austin Dillon. "We brought home a handful of victories and have significant momentum heading into this year. Rheem is known for their long tradition of reliability and quality in the water heating and HVAC industry, and our family is known for its long NASCAR tradition of reliability and top performance. We make a great team, and I'm honored to represent Rheem again this year."
Although 2016 marks the first year Rheem will serve as a primary sponsor on the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro, driver Ty Dillon has a history with the performance-driven company. He drove a Rheem Chevrolet in three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events in 2015, and Rheem was the co-primary sponsor with Realtree for his Sprint Cup Series debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2014.
"I've enjoyed meeting some of Rheem's valued customers, distributors and employees over the past few years at the race track and while visiting our facilities in Welcome," said Ty Dillon. "I'm proud to represent Rheem as they continue their partnership with RCR. We look forward to continuing our success together in 2016."
Rheem will begin the year with the No. 2 Chevrolet team for the XFINITY Series season-opener at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 3 Chevrolet will feature the company's legendary Rheem red, black and white branding at Atlanta Motor Speedway the following weekend.