Partnership with global industrial company to be evident on and off the track
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 15, 2012) – JR Motorsports announced today the beginning of a strategic sponsorship with Ingersoll Rand, a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments.
The sponsorship features a one-race primary sponsorship of the No. 88 Chevrolet driven by Cole Whitt in the NASCAR Nationwide Series later this year and full-season associate sponsor placement.
“As long as I’ve been in this business of racing, there have been Ingersoll Rand tools in my tool box. That’s not a corporate talking point, that’s just the truth,” said JRM co-owner and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. “This partnership between JR Motorsports and Ingersoll Rand might be new, but we are not new customers. To be able to add Ingersoll Rand to our arsenal of sponsors only makes us better.”
Ingersoll Rand will be the primary sponsor on Whitt’s No. 88 Chevrolet during the May 26 race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Whitt, a 20-year-old from Alpine, Calif., is in his first season at JR Motorsports. He is an eight-time International Karting Federation champion, two-time World Karting Association Grand National champion, and he became the youngest driver to ever win the USAC national championship in 2008. Whitt joins Danica Patrick as the two JR Motorsports drivers competing for a Nationwide Series championship in 2012.
“I had the privilege to go to Ingersoll Rand just to see all their new tools and products, and it is impressive,” Whitt said. “I’m a tool guy, just like anyone else who spends most of their time in a shop or garage. Ingersoll Rand air-powered tools are incredible – very powerful, very durable, and very efficient.”
JR Motorsports’ garage and pit crews will continue to use powerful pneumatic tools from Ingersoll Rand to improve the performance abilities of its cars throughout the season, including the Ingersoll Rand ThunderGun™. Ingersoll Rand is a global company that employs more than 50,000 people.
“Ingersoll Rand has been supplying pit crews with the most efficient pit tools on the market since the inaugural NASCAR race in 1959,” stated Bill Dwyre, director of marketing for Ingersoll Rand. “Today, nearly every pit crew team on the NASCAR circuit relies upon the Ingersoll Rand ThunderGun™ to service their cars, so the sponsorship is a natural fit.”
Coupled with its presence at the track, JR Motorsports will incorporate a marketing, social media, and digital production plan as part of its sponsorship agreement with Ingersoll Rand. Fan bases of both entities can expect fresh and unique content throughout the year that will educate consumers and strengthen both brands through JRM’s powerful web platform and additional assets, such as Hammerhead Entertainment.
ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS: Based in Mooresville, N.C., JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s nine-time Most Popular Driver and winner of more than 40 NASCAR-sanctioned races. JR Motorsports competes in multiple racing divisions, including the NASCAR Nationwide Series where the team owns 10 victories. To learn more about the organization and its stable of drivers which include Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick and Cole Whitt, visit www.jrmracing.com. The JR Motorsports facility also houses the JR Nation retail store, Hammerhead Entertainment and JRM Licensing.
ABOUT INGERSOLL RAND: Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) is a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in commercial, residential and industrial markets. Our people and our family of brands — including Club Car®, Ingersoll Rand®, Schlage®, Thermo King® and Trane® — work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. Ingersoll Rand products range from complete compressed air systems, tools and pumps to material and fluid handling systems. The diverse and innovative products, services and solutions enhance our customers’ energy efficiency, productivity and operations. Ingersoll Rand is a $14 billion global business committed to sustainable business practices within our company and for our customers. For more information, visit ingersollrand.com or ingersollrandproducts.com.
