Popular Drive-In to Serve as Primary Sponsor on the No. 9 Ford at Kansas and Texas
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (October 13, 2015) – Richard Petty Motorsports announced today that SONIC Drive-In® will be the primary sponsor for Sam Hornish Jr. and the No. 9 Ford team for the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway.
More than 50 years ago, SONIC and its unique menu was built on the popular drive-in model: made-to-order American classics, signature menu items and speedy service from friendly skating Carhops. Today, SONIC is the largest chain of drive-in restaurants in America with more than 3,500 drive-in locations in 44 states across the country.
This isn’t the first time SONIC has been involved in NASCAR. In addition to its previous on-track presence, fans may have seen the drive-in restaurant’s latest commercial starring NBC Sports’ Rutledge Wood and Kyle Petty. Now, SONIC will be teaming up with NASCAR Hall of Famer, Richard Petty and Richard Petty Motorsports.
“The NASCAR Family is an important part of the SONIC fan base,” said Todd Smith, Chief Marketing Officer for SONIC. “The value of our NASCAR engagement has grown over time and our current NBC Sports partnership provides a unique opportunity to be part of the broadcast, not just as an advertiser. We jumped at the opportunity to partner with Richard Petty Motorsports, arguably the greatest brand in NASCAR, Petty. We look forward to cheering on Sam Hornish Jr. at Kansas and Texas as he races for the win.”
The NASCAR fan base is a perfect fit for SONIC, which is among the quick-service restaurant (QSR) category. In fact, 89% of NASCAR fans claim to eat at QSRs. In addition, among those fans that eat at QSRs, 79% claim to visit QSRs more than five times in a month.*
“We are ready to ‘Blast’ off with the No. 9 SONIC Ford Fusion in Kansas and Texas,” said Mike Hargrave, Executive Vice President and CMO at Richard Petty Motorsports. “Seriously, we are very excited to have long time NASCAR advertiser SONIC Drive-In running with RPM. The folks at SONIC know that NASCAR fans love their Breakfast Toasters and Bacon Cheeseburgers.”
As a husband and father of three, Hornish is always looking for fun and creative ways to spend time with his family and SONIC’s drive-in atmosphere provides just that.
“There are not a lot of places around like SONIC anymore,” said Hornish. “It’s a great place to take the family for a fun meal with great-tasting food and reminisce about the days when drive-ins were as popular as any restaurant. The variety of menu options is perfect for our family; it has something to fit everyone’s likes. I’m looking forward to having SONIC with us in Kansas and Texas, and I can’t wait to bring home a good finish in the SONIC Ford Fusion.”
You can tune in to the Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, October 18 at 2:15 p.m. ET on NBC. The Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway will take place on Sunday, November 8 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC.
*Experian Marketing Services
About Richard Petty Motorsports
A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneur Andrew Murstein, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Aric Almirola pilots the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion with primary partners Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force, STP and Fresh From Florida, and Sam Hornish Jr. drives the No. 9 machine with primary partners Medallion Bank and Twisted Tea. In addition, Dakoda Armstrong wheels the No. 43 WinField Ford Mustang full-time in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. The team is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C.
About SONIC, America’s Drive-In
SONIC, America’s Drive-In, is the nation’s largest drive-in restaurant chain serving more than 3 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of SONIC’s 3,500 drive-in locations are owned and operated by local business men and women. Over the past 60 years, SONIC has delighted guests with signature menu items, more than 1.3 million drink combinations and friendly service by iconic Carhops. To learn more about Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ/NM: SONC), please visit sonicdrivein.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
