Dr Pepper Snapple family renews with Marco Andretti

Third-generation racer Marco Andretti is quite familiar with the Dr Pepper Snapple (NYSE: DPS) family. He'll once again help promote one of DPS's iconic brands when he takes the wheel of the No. 25 Andretti Autosport car next season.

The DPS-Andretti Autosport relationship enters its eighth season in 2014. In previous years, Marco Andretti has driven Indy cars highlighting Venom Energy Drink, Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper TEN and RC Cola.

"Marco and Andretti Autosport have been great ambassadors of our brands over the years, and we are pleased to be partnering with them for another exciting IndyCar season," said Jim Trebilcock, executive vice president of marketing for DPS. "Our brands and IndyCar both have extraordinary and passionate fans, and we're looking forward to working with Marco and his team to drive excitement and build on that passion."

Andretti, concluding his eighth season in IndyCar Series competition at Auto Club Speedway this weekend, is ranked fifth in the IZOD IndyCar Series points standings with 14 top-10 finishes, marking his best season to date. The Nazareth, Penn. native has recorded two pole-positions this season and is nearing the 1000 laps-led mark, currently holding 944 laps as a race leader. Andretti and his No. 25 RC Cola branded car sat on the front row for this year's running of the Indianapolis 500-mile race, the 26-year-old's best start at the historic 2.5-mile oval.

"Dr Pepper Snapple's products are among the most well-loved brands on the market, and they carry great appeal with our fans," said Marco Andretti, Driver, No. 25 Car. "We're excited to be teaming up with them once again next season. I feel we have been getting closer to a championship title and an Indy 500 win, and I wouldn't want to win it with anyone more with the Dr Pepper Snapple family and with my dad. I feel like I have a lot of unfinished business and a lot of good results coming our way."

In addition to touting its brands on his No. 25 car, Andretti has worked with DPS on one of its key philanthropic initiatives, serving as honorary chairman of DPS's of its 2013 United Way campaign. Themed "Drive Home Giving," the campaign raised nearly $2.2 million for United Way agencies.