Skittles Returns to NASCAR with JGR and the #18 team

The Skittles brand made by Wrigley, a subsidiary of Mars, Inc. will make its comeback to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in the 2014 season as part of Mars, Inc.'s longtime partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing. The Skittles #18 Camry will take the track for two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races this season, piloted by NASCAR star Kyle Busch on March 2 at Phoenix and March 16 at Bristol. For the first time in more than 10 years, the Skittles brand will join the lineup of Mars, Inc.'s world-class sponsors at Joe Gibbs Racing including, M&M'S, Doublemint and Snickers in the 2014 season.

"We're proud to bring one of America's most iconic candy brands back to NASCAR and eager to see what victories 'The Rainbow' brings this season as Kyle Busch takes the wheel of the Skittles #18 Camry, said John Starkey, Sr. Director of Confections at Wm. Wrigley Co. "Sometimes 'The Rainbow' likes to mix things up and now seemed like a great time for Skittles to return to the track to have some fun.

"I am honored to help Skittles make a comeback to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, said Busch, driver of the #18 Camry. Skittles was one of my favorite candies growing up and still is today, so I am thrilled to be driving the Skittles paint scheme this season. Skittles brand first made its NASCAR debut in 1998 in partnership with MB2 Motorsports with the #36 Pontiac and driver Derrike Cope. In 1999, driver Ernie Irvan took the wheel of the Skittles #36 Pontiac and went on to take the top starting spot at Indianapolis Motor Speedway."