Panasonic Joins Ginn Racing as a Primary Sponsor
The agreement also calls for Panasonic to be a major associate sponsor on the No. 14 for the other 24 point races that will comprise the 36-event Nextel Cup schedule.
"To finalize a sponsorship package is always an accomplishment, but to finalize it with an outstanding and high-profiled company such as Panasonic makes it even better," said team owner Bobby Ginn. "As part of the Ginn Racing commitment, we not only want to lead on the track, but we also want to be a leader with our sponsors and make sure they are getting a valuable return on their investment. We look forward to our new partnership with Panasonic and welcome them to the Ginn family of sponsors."
Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Company, a leading supplier of broadcast and professional video products and systems, is a unit company of Panasonic Corporation of North America.
"We are thrilled to be associated with the Ginn organization and with Ginn Racing in particular. Like Panasonic, they place great value in quality," said John Baisley, president of Panasonic Broadcast. "We are equally thrilled that our customers will be able to watch the Ginn Racing team on their Panasonic plasma displays, the premier display technology to fully and accurately demonstrate the speed and excitement of NASCAR and the Ginn Racing Team."
Panasonic joins Waste Management as a 12-race primary sponsor on Marlin's Chevrolet.
Marlin, a two-time Daytona 500 winner and a veteran of more than 700 career Cup starts, is in his second season with Ginn Racing. He is only one of three drivers to have scored back-to-back Daytona 500 victories (1994 & 1995). The other two were Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough. Marlin has 10 career Cup wins, 215 top 10s and prize money of more than $40 million.
"It's always a great feeling to have a new sponsor come on board," said Marlin, a native of Franklin, Tenn. "And when it’s a first-class company such as Panasonic it adds to the excitement. I look forward to working with the folks at Panasonic and its motorsports marketing programs."
Marlin's No. 14 Chevrolet is one of three full-time Nextel Cup cars that Ginn Racing will field in 2007. The other two are: the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet to be co-driven by Mark Martin and Regan Smith and the No. 13 Chevrolet, driven by Joe Nemechek.