Sponsors extends with DEI

The Principal Financial Group®, the nation’s 401(k) and employee benefits leader, announces its expanded relationship with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI). The Principal® has agreed to a multi-race primary sponsorship involving DEI’s No. 8 Chevrolet, co-driven by Mark Martin and Aric Almirola and the No. 01 Chevrolet driven by Regan Smith during the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The Principal will also serve as an associate sponsor on both cars for the entire Sprint Cup season.

“The Principal is proud to once again participate in NASCAR, and support Mark Martin, Regan Smith and now Aric Almirola. All three drivers are exciting to watch, and we are confident they will be valuable ambassadors of the Principal Financial Group brand. We are also pleased to partner with the Dale Earnhardt, Inc. organization. DEI works hard to give their drivers an edge on the track, just as we at The Principal work hard to give our customers an edge in planning for their financial futures," said Mary O’Keefe, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of the Principal Financial Group.

“Rookie-of-the-year" candidate Regan Smith will drive the Principal Financial Group Chevrolet Feb. 17 at the Daytona 500 and again July 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Mark Martin will represent The Principal in the No. 8 Chevrolet at California Speedway February 24 in what will be Martin’s 700th career Cup Series start.

“To be behind the wheel of a Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet is surreal, and I plan to take full advantage of the opportunity. It’s a privilege to work for a company that was started by the driver I idolized," said Smith. “I’m confident that the No. 01 Principal Financial Group Chevrolet and its team will have an exciting season, full of milestones, celebrations and wins."

This marks the third season for The Principal as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team sponsor, and the second year that Mark Martin and Regan Smith will race in the Principal Financial Group colors. The Principal first joined NASCAR in Aug. 2006 with MB2 Motorsports.