Cheerios to Sponsor Austin Dillon in 2013 Daytona 500

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.