Best Buy renews sponsorship with RPM

Richard Petty Motorsports got welcome news with the renewal of Best Buy as primary sponsor of AJ Allmendinger’s No. 43 Ford for the coming season.

The agreement, announced Tuesday by RPM and Best Buy, extends the consumer electronics retailer’s sponsorship of the car through 2011. Best Buy will serve as Allmendinger’s primary sponsor for 24 points races and two non-points events (the Gatorade Duel 150 qualifying race at Daytona in February and the Sprint Showdown and/or Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte in May, depending on eligibility).

The deal includes Best Buy’s placement as an associate sponsor on the No. 9 Ford driven by Marcos Ambrose. Other sponsors, among them Valvoline, the U.S. Air Force and Paralyzed Veterans of America, will take turns on the hood of Allmendinger’s car for the remaining 12 points races.

“Best Buy is proud to renew our relationship with Richard Petty Motorsports and driver AJ Allmendinger for the 2011 season," said Drew Panayiotou, senior vice president of marketing for Best Buy. “Richard Petty is a motorsports icon and is well respected within the sport of NASCAR. Being a part of a team with his leadership is a privilege.

“We will be doing some innovative work with Richard Petty Motorsports surrounding our sponsorship, creating new and fun ways to engage the fans. We look forward to continuing our support of AJ and the No. 43 team as they strive to make their way to victory lane."