Collaboration between RCR, JRM, DEI and Wrangler® to honor Dale Earnhardt’s H of F induction
WELCOME, N.C. (April 29, 2010) – Through a joint effort between Richard Childress Racing, JR Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and Wrangler®, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will pay tribute to his father’s upcoming induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame by driving the No. 3 Wrangler® Chevrolet Impala in the July 2 Subway Jalapeno 250 powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
Dale Earnhardt Jr's No. 3 Wrangler® Chevrolet Impala for the Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway - Photo Credit: Richard Childress Racing
The announcement and car unveiling was made today at JR Motorsports and to the fans at Dale Earnhardt Inc., both in Mooresville, N.C. In attendance were Richard Childress of Richard Childress Racing, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Kelley Earnhardt of JR Motorsports, Teresa Earnhardt of Dale Earnhardt Incorporated and Craig Errington, vice president of Wrangler® marketing. The No. 3 Wrangler® Chevrolet Impala is an RCR entry but built and prepared by JR Motorsports.
“This was an idea that came up as a way to pay tribute to my Dad, and it’s pretty cool that it’s a collaborative effort between JR Motorsports, RCR and DEI,” said Earnhardt Jr. “The Wrangler car is definitely in the top-10 of coolest cars that have ever been on the race track. A lot of people identify with it, and I can’t think of a better way to honor my dad and celebrate his induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame than to bring the Wrangler colors back with the No. 3 on the side, similar to the ‘Wrangler Jean Machine’ scheme of the 80s. I think it will be worth seeing, and I’m looking forward to driving it at Daytona.”
The combination of Earnhardt Jr., DEI and RCR has a very brief yet shining history on the track together. In their one and only race together, Earnhardt drove the No. 3 Chevrolet to victory in the February 2002 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway. That car, with just the one race to its credit, is on display at the RCR Museum in Welcome, N.C.
“Bringing this group of people and these organizations together is the best way I can think of to honor Dale Earnhardt’s induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” said Childress. “Dale means so much to all of us, as well as his fans across the country and throughout the world. We created a special piece of history together in 2002 and, with Wrangler back on board the No. 3 Chevrolet at Daytona, we look to make some more history in July. I know the fans will love it and much as we all will.”
In support of the program, an array of licensed product will be available to fans from die-cast cars to apparel and select novelty items. Merchandise will highlight both Dale Earnhardt original Wrangler® car and Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s current paint scheme. Fans can find the products at www.nascar.com, trackside or through each of the represented team stores.
“Dale’s induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame is truly a special honor for the Earnhardt Family as well as for all of Dale’s fans” said Teresa Earnhardt. “Dale was a competitor, but he was also a person who loved the fans and worked hard to connect with the people who supported him through his career. Wrangler was one of Dale’s first sponsors and it’s great to connect back with those early years, where it all started for Dale as he drove his way into the Hall of Fame”.
Wrangler® has a long history with all parties involved, and is the first apparel brand to have significant involvement in NASCAR, beginning in the 1980s when Dale Earnhardt was featured in the brand’s “One Tough Customer” marketing campaign. Wrangler® was the primary sponsor of Dale Earnhardt and the famed yellow-and-blue “Wrangler® Jean Machine” from 1981 to 1987. After a couple race team changes in the early 1980s including a brief 1981 stint with Richard Childress, Earnhardt moved back to Richard Childress Racing in 1984, bringing the brand with him as his primary sponsor. In 1998, the brand became one of the first corporate sponsors to sign up with Dale in his new role of team owner of Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
The Wrangler®-Earnhardt legacy continued in 2004 with a relationship between a second generation Earnhardt and a “New Generation of Wrangler®” – Earnhardt Jr. signed on as the endorsee for the Wrangler Jeans Co.TM line of new fits and styles of jeans and apparel. This longstanding relationship continues today with Earnhardt Jr. starring in the current brand marketing campaign.
“For Wrangler, this yellow-and-blue paint scheme signifies a lot of our brand history, marketing and persona from the 1980s,” said Craig Errington, vice president of Wrangler® marketing. “It’s truly a piece of our history that will be on the track July 2 and it makes it that much more meaningful that it’s not only Dale Earnhardt’s son who will be driving it, but also the brand’s current partner and friend – Dale Jr.”
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About JR Motorsports
JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s seven-time Most Popular Driver and winner of more than 40 NASCAR-sanctioned races. JR Motorsports competes in multiple racing divisions, including the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In 2008 JRM enjoyed a breakout season with four Nationwide Series victories between its two teams. The company followed suit with four more wins in 2009. The JR Motorsports facilities are based out of Mooresville, N.C., and include the JR Nation retail store, Hammerhead Entertainment, DEJ Realty, and The Dale Jr. Foundation. For more information on JR Motorsports, visit www.dalejr.com.
About Dale Earnhardt Incorporated
Founded in 1980 by Dale and Teresa Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) is headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina. DEI has several business entities focused on three key areas: The Dale Earnhardt Legacy, connecting millions of Dale Earnhardt fans to Dale’s life and times as a racecar driver, family man and outdoorsman; Automotive & Motorsports, consisting of four business entities – Earnhardt Technologies Group, Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet, Earnhardt Childress Racing Engines and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates – and Philanthropy through the good works of the Dale Earnhardt Foundation. For more information about Dale, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. or the Dale Earnhardt Foundation go to: www.daleearnhardt.com or call 1-888-7-Club-E-3 (1-888-725-8233).
About Wrangler®
Based on more than 60 years of heritage in making authentic denim jeans, the iconic Wrangler® brand is long respected for comfortable, durable and affordable jeans, pants, shorts and shirts. The Wrangler Jeans Co.TM and Wrangler Five Star Premium DenimTM lines are available at value-minded retailers nationwide and retail for less than $20. For more information regarding the Wrangler® family of authentic clothing or to locate a retailer, visit www.wrangler.com, www.facebook.com/WranglerJeans or call 1-888-784-8571.
Wrangler® is a division of VF Jeanswear Limited Partnership, which is an affiliate of VF Corporation. VF Corporation is a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel with more than 30 brands, including Wranglerâ, The North Faceâ, Leeâ, Vansâ, Nauticaâ, 7 For All Mankindâ, Eagle Creekâ, Eastpakâ, Ella Mossâ, JanSportâ, lucyâ, John Varvatosâ, Kiplingâ, Majesticâ, Napapijriâ, Red Kapâ, Reefâ, Ridersâ and Splendidâ. VF Corporation’s press releases, annual report and other information can be accessed through the Company’s home page, www.vfc.com.
About Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 180 victories and 12 NASCAR championships, including six in the Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2010 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet) and Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet). Bowyer and John Wes Townley drive the No. 21 Zaxby’s Chevrolet in the 2010 Nationwide Series, Austin Dillon drives the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in the 2010 Camping World Truck Series
– Richard Childress Racing, Press Reelase
