Third-generation RCR driver to make his debut in The Great American Race
WELCOME, N.C. (November 9, 2012) – Richard Childress Racing has partnered with General Mills® for NASCAR Nationwide Series standout Austin Dillon to make his Daytona 500 debut driving the No. 33 Honey Nut Cheerios® Chevrolet on February 24, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway. The paint scheme for the 55th running of the Great American Race will also mark the NASCAR debut of Buzz, the official SpokesBee of Honey Nut Cheerios.
“My family has so many memories of racing in the Daytona 500 so it is really special to me to be able to make my first Daytona 500 start,” said Dillon. “With the support of General Mills and America’s Favorite Cereal, Honey Nut Cheerios, I hope to continue RCR’s winning tradition on restrictor plate tracks with my pal Buzz on the hood of the No. 33 Honey Nut Cheerios Chevrolet.”
“General Mills is thrilled to be partnering with RCR and Austin Dillon for his Daytona 500 debut,” said Gregg Dorazio, Manager of Shopper Marketing and Motorsports at General Mills. “Race fans will certainly be buzzing about Austin’s appearance in The Great American Race. Austin adds even more excitement and opportunity to our 2013 Cheerios® Racing team and marketing plans.”
The 2013 season will mark the fifth year of partnership between the Welcome, N.C.-based racing organization and General Mills, which is a major associate sponsor throughout the year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on the No. 31 Cheerios Chevrolet and driver Jeff Burton.
RCR is a two-time winner of The Great American Race. The legendary Dale Earnhardt earned RCR’s first Harley J. Earl trophy in 1998 in his 20th attempt. Kevin Harvick, currently the driver of RCR’s No. 29 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, won the event in 2007 by 0.02-of-a-second, the closest margin of victory since the first race in 1959.
“Competing in the Daytona 500 is a major step in Austin’s career and we couldn’t be more proud than to have General Mills expand its program with RCR for a second year on the No. 33 Chevrolet SS,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Austin has made a number of Sprint Cup Series starts so he understands the pressures at NASCAR’s highest level but his first start in The Great American Race will be a special one.”
For additional information on today’s announcement, and all that’s happening at RCR, please visit http://www.rcrracing.com.
About Cheerios
Cheerios, America’s No.1 cereal franchise, debuted in 1941 as Cheerioats. The nation’s first ready-to-eat oat cereal has since become one of the most trusted and recognized brands in America. In fact, one of every eight boxes of cereal sold in America is a box of Cheerios. General Mills’ popular franchise includes Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Multi Grain Cheerios, Multi Grain Cheerios, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Cheerios, Frosted Cheerios, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, Cinnamon Burst Cheerios, Fruity Cheerios, Dulce de Leche Cheerios, Yogurt Burst Cheerios, and Banana Nut Cheerios.
About Richard Childress Racing Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 200 victories and 14 championships, including six in the NASCAR 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 current Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser/Rheem/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar/Wheaties/BB&T Chevrolet). Its Nationwide Series program includes Elliott Sadler (No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet), 2011 Camping World Truck Series champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 AdvoCare/American Ethanol/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Harvick/Menard/Brendan Gaughan/Max Papis/Ty Dillon (No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino/Menards/Hunt Brothers Pizza/Armour Brands/Fast Fixin’/ Chevrolet). Harvick/Tim George Jr./Gaughan (No. 2 Applebee’s/South Point Hotel & Casino/Kroger/Tide Chevrolet), Joey Coulter (No. 22 RCR/Armour Brands/Husky Liners/OneMain Financial Chevrolet) and 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards champion Ty Dillon (No.3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) compete in the 2012 Camping World Truck Series season.
