WELCOME, N.C. (April 19, 2011) — Richard Childress Racing and Caterpillar have reached agreement to continue their partnership on the No. 31 Chevrolet which began with the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
Jeff Burton, driver of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet, has also reached agreement on a multi-year contract extension with RCR. The South Boston, Va., native made his RCR debut August 22, 2004, at Michigan International Speedway driving the No. 30 Chevrolet (started 28th, finished 12th).
“We are very pleased to continue our relationship with Richard Childress Racing and Jeff Burton,” said Bill Finerty, Vice President of Americas Distribution Services Division for Caterpillar. “Cat Dealers, customers and employees all take pride in watching the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet compete at a high level in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.”
Burton and the No. 31 team qualified for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in 2010 and have earned 11 top-five and 25 top-10 finishes since the Caterpillar partnership began. The No. 31 Cat Racing team also earned the victory in the second of the two Duel 150 qualifying races for the 2011 Daytona 500.
“I’m excited to continue my relationship with both Richard Childress and Caterpillar,” commented Burton. “Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with a lot of great people at Caterpillar and I look forward to providing their employees, dealers and customers continued success both on and off the track. Continuing my career at RCR was a top priority for me and it’s great to have the support of Caterpillar behind us.”
Caterpillar has been a sponsor in NASCAR since 1993. Cat was a team sponsor in the NASCAR Nationwide Series from 1995 – 1996 before moving to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 1997. Its relationship with RCR began in 2009.
“RCR is very happy to announce the continuation of our partnerships with both Caterpillar and Jeff Burton on the No. 31 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series,” said Richard Childress, President and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Cat Racing has proven to be successful both on the track, with Jeff and his team’s achievements, and off the track, with the creative programs provided to its customers. We look forward to building on the success of the partnership between Caterpillar, Jeff Burton and RCR for years to come.”
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About Caterpillar:
For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. With 2010 sales and revenues of $42.588 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at: .
About Richard Childress Racing
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.
