Petty reaffirms commitment to 2-car team

At the start of 2014, Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced a three-year extension and investment increase by Smithfield Foods on the No. 43 Ford team. The previous year RPM welcomed new partners Strike 10 Entertainment and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to join Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force and longtime partner STP. The result was the RPM No. 43 team winning for the first time since 1999 and sending Aric Almirola into The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Today, the organization with a championship history, winning present and proven marketing programs, announced it will use the same aggressive business and growth model to support the No. 9 Ford team in 2015 and beyond in a series of announcements.

RPM will continue to be a two-car NASCAR Sprint Cup organization and will compete weekly with the No. 9 and No. 43 teams.

The organization will also return current manufacturer partner Ford Racing and subsequently will continue its services contract with Roush Fenway Racing and Roush Yates Engines to supply new Ford Fusion chassis and Ford horsepower for both teams.

Twisted Tea Brewing Company will continue their primary sponsorship of the No. 9 team in 2015 as the RPM marketing and new business team continues various discussions with several companies.

"First, we want to wish Stanley Black and Decker the best," commented Brian Moffitt, President and CEO of Richard Petty Motorsports. "Their commitment and support has been a critical component to the success of RPM. As with all good partnerships, we are proud that the STANLEY and RPM partnership has benefitted both companies. We are grateful for their support and they will always be a part of our family."

"Today, we are excited to build new partnerships on the No. 9 team," continued Moffitt. "We have a vision that our ownership group and sponsors support and believe in. We have built upon that vision in two short years to become championship eligible. It's that belief that will help us support the No. 9 team. One partner that has supported us is Ford Racing who will again be our manufacturer partner as we continue our relationship that has helped us become a 'Chase' organization."

"We're proud of our relationship with Richard Petty Motorsports and feel they have done a great job and are competitive every weekend as evident by making the Chase this season," said Jamie Allison, Director, Ford Racing. "Both the No. 9 and No. 43 teams have shown strength throughout this season and we expect that will only continue next season and beyond."

It was announced earlier that Marcos Ambrose will not return to RPM in 2015. RPM PR