Holiday Inn signs multiyear contract renewal with RCR
At the same time, Wimmer has reached agreement with RCR on a contract extension with the 10-time NASCAR championship-winning organization.
The 2008 season will once again feature Wimmer and Burton as co-pilots of the No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet, with Wimmer behind the wheel for 23 races and Burton the remainder of the 35-race schedule. Wimmer will also run a limited schedule of NASCAR Cup Series events next season.
“It’s great to be continuing our relationship with Holiday Inn and, at the same time, keeping Scott and Jeff together behind the wheel," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Holiday Inn has done a tremendous job with its entire program and we hope we can cap off all their efforts by winning the owners’ championship."
In 2008, sponsorship of the No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet expands to include Holiday Inn Express. The move provides the opportunity to engage guests of both hotel brands who, according to research, are equally passionate about racing.
“The Holiday Inn racing team has built tremendous momentum in its first two years, and the addition of Holiday Inn Express to the team is part of our plan to continue to expand our involvement with the sport," said John Merkin, senior vice president of brand management for Holiday Inn Brands in the Americas. “As we enter our third year of this dynamic partnership with Richard Childress Racing we are looking forward to even more green flag action and big wins."
In Holiday Inn’s first full season as primary sponsor of RCR’s No. 29 Chevy Monte Carlo SS, Burton and Wimmer have combined for one pole, four wins, 15 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes. On the strength of the potent duo’s collective efforts, the team currently leads the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series owners’ point standings.
“It is exciting to have Holiday Inn extend their involvement with RCR," said Wimmer. “It’s an honor to drive for such a great sponsor and have its continued support. I decided to renew my contract with Richard (Childress) because of the quality equipment, great sponsors and the talent of the drivers within RCR’s organization. I am honored to continue driving for him and building on the success we had this year."
This year marks Burton’s 18th season in the NASCAR Busch Series with 26 victories, 11 pole positions, 83 top-five and 134 top-10 finishes in 278 starts.
“It means a great deal to have Holiday Inn back on board with us and to be sharing the season with Scott again," said Burton. “Holiday Inn is a tremendous sponsor and I am thrilled to represent their brand. I have a lot of respect for Scott Wimmer. We have very similar driving characteristics and have worked really well together this year. I am looking forward to sharing the seat again next year."
In addition to the No. 29 Holiday Inn program, RCR announced Oct. 23 that BB&T has agreed to a multi-year contract extension for the No. 2 team and Clint Bowyer’s full-season assault on the series championship. The search continues for sponsorship of its two-time championship-winning No. 21 team with current sponsor AutoZone’s departure at the end of the season.