M&M's(R) Brand Chocolate Candies to Sponsor Kyle Busch and the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR(R) Sprint Cup Series Team in 2008
Mars North America Continues Long-Standing NASCAR Relationship Since 1990
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Oct. 3 -- Mars North America announced today a three-year partnership with M&M'S(R) Brand Chocolate Candies as the sponsor of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) team and driver Kyle Busch in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series beginning in 2008.
"I can't wait to climb behind the wheel of the M&M'S(R) car next season," Busch said. "M&M'S Racing has been a fan favorite for years in the sport and it's an honor to drive for one of the most recognized brands in the world. My focus is to win, and I know that everyone at Mars shares that vision as well. I want to thank the associates at Mars U.S. for this opportunity and look forward to a winning relationship."
During the 2008 season, Mars North America brands will serve as the primary sponsor of JGR's No. 18 Sprint Cup Series team for a total of 30 point races. Mars will feature the popular M&M'S(R) Brand colors beginning with the 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17. SNICKERS(R) and PEDIGREE(R) also will serve as primary brand sponsors for several races. Additionally, COMBOS(R), TWIX(R), SKITTLES(R), STARBURST and MILKY WAY(R) brands will provide support as associate sponsors.
Interstate Batteries will serve as a primary sponsor of the No. 18 Sprint Cup team for six point races.
"We are excited to welcome Kyle Busch as the driver for M&M'S(R) Brand Chocolate Candies," said William Clements, director of sponsorships and sports marketing for Mars Snackfood U.S. "The opportunity to partner with a championship-level organization in Joe Gibbs Racing, and a proven talent in Kyle Busch, sets the stage for an exciting year for M&M'S(R) consumers and fans. On behalf of our 40,000 associates worldwide, I welcome Kyle and Joe Gibbs Racing to the Mars, Incorporated family and look forward to seeing M&M'S(R) in victory lane with the No. 18 team."
"Mars has had a longstanding commitment to the sport of NASCAR and we are extremely pleased to welcome them to our organization," said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR. "Their interests mirror those of my family with their involvement in both motorsports and football. With their well-known brands, such as M&M'S(R) Chocolate Candies, I believe they are a natural fit for our team of corporate partners. We look forward to the new relationship between JGR, Kyle Busch and M&M'S(R) and believe it will be successful for all parties both on and off the track."
The 2008 season will mark the 15th year for Mars North America as a primary sponsor in NASCAR's premier racing division. The famous candy maker joined the series in 1990, running its first three seasons under the SNICKERS(R) Brand moniker. After serving as an associate sponsor for four seasons, the company returned with the SKITTLES(R) Brand colors in 1997 before transitioning to M&M'S(R) Brand Chocolate Candies in 1999.
About Kyle Busch
Busch, a Las Vegas native, began his racing career at age 12 and quickly ascended through the ranks to join what is currently known as the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series in only eight years. Widely respected as one of the leading talents in the Nextel Cup garage, Busch's resume includes several milestone accomplishments, including being the youngest Nextel Cup rookie of the year at age 20. Busch is also on record as the youngest driver to win a Nextel Cup race (20 years, four months, two days) after posting his first career victory at California Speedway in September 2005 during his rookie season. During his sophomore effort, Busch became the youngest Nextel Cup driver to qualify for the Chase for the Nextel Cup. To date, he has a total of four Nextel Cup wins, two poles, 27 top-fives and 47 top-10 finishes in 107 career starts.
About Mars North America
Mars North America is the United States food, snack and pet care operations of Mars, Incorporated, one of the world's leading food manufacturers. With more than $7 billion in annual sales in the U.S., the combined food, snack and pet care segments are symbols of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Mars North America employs more than 9,000 associates in the United States, with 52 facilities nation-wide. The company owns some of the world's favorite brands, including M&M'S(R) Brand, SNICKERS(R) Brand, UNCLE BEN'S(R) Brand, PEDIGREE(R) Brand Food for Dogs, and WHISKAS(R) Brand Food for Cats.
About Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR, currently fielding three NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams, two NASCAR Busch Series teams and a driver development program. Its driver lineup currently consists of Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley in Nextel Cup; Hamlin, Stewart, Aric Almirola, Kevin Conway and Brad Coleman in Busch; and Marc Davis and Joey Logano in the NASCAR Busch East Series. Based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by Joe Gibbs - a three-time Super Bowl-winning coach, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and current coach of the Washington Redskins - JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, winning three Cup Series championships, a Busch East Series championship and over 70 NASCAR races, including three Brickyard 400s and the 1993 Daytona 500.
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