PHOENIX -- The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. will make its NASCAR debut with a partnership with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) that features Wrigley's Spearmint, Doublemint, Big Red, Juicy Fruit and Winterfresh brands.
Wrigley will sponsor Reed Sorenson and David Stremme, who will drive the No. 41 Dodge in the first 25 Busch Series races in 2007, and former Indianapolis 500 champion and Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who will drive the No. 42 Big Red Dodge in three NEXTEL Cup races for the 2007 NASCAR season.
Sorenson [image-nocss] and Stremme will alternate as the driver of the No. 41 car on the first 25 races of the Busch Series. Their car will feature a rotating paint scheme of Wrigley's Spearmint, Doublemint, Juicy Fruit and Winterfresh brands. Wrigley will be an associate sponsor of the car for the remaining 10 races. When Montoya takes the wheel of the No. 42 Big Red Dodge for three NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races, his car and uniform will feature a black-and-red Big Red color scheme. Wrigley, through its Big Red brand, will also be an associate sponsor of the car for the remaining 33 races.
Sorenson began racing at just six years old and his youth has served him well as the 20-year-old won his first Busch Series race in just his 11th start. Sorenson is the youngest driver to be named Rookie of the Year in the American Speed Association series. This year is his first full season driving in the NEXTEL Cup series.
Stremme grew up in a family of race car drivers, winning his first competition at age 15. He took the NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year title in 2003, becoming the only driver to ever claim the honor without racing full time in the series.
One of the most accomplished drivers in the world, Montoya won the CART Championship as a rookie and the next season took the checkered flag at the Indy 500. He remains one of only two drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 and the Grand Prix of Monaco.
Following a strong career as a driver, Chip Ganassi created his own one-car IndyCar team in 1990 and established a partnership with a new sponsor, Target Stores. Today, his teams include two IRL IndyCars, three cars in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, a Daytona Prototype in the world of Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series racing and two entries in the NASCAR Busch Series. Ganassi's IndyCar teams have amassed five Championships and 50 wins since 1994; his NASCAR teams have nine wins and a Rookie-of-the-Year title; and the Grand American team has won two of the last three Rolex Series Daytona Prototype Championships and the 2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona.
In related news, Goody's Headache Powder, although it will no longer carry the sponsorship status Official Pain Reliever of NASCAR, will continue to have a major presence in the sport of NASCAR racing.
Over the past 30 years, Goody's Headache Powders have played a pivotal role in the growth and success of this sport and have grown to be a fan favorite around the NASCAR community, said Darren Singer, vice president of general over-the-counter medicines. Our involvement in the sport will deepen in 2007. And, just because we won't be the official pain reliever of NASCAR, doesn't mean we won't be the favorite' pain reliever among NASCAR fans.
In 2007, Goody's will execute its most extensive program ever within the sport of NASCAR racing, it said. Major initiatives include:
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Goody's with Richard Petty as the Goody's spokesperson and a year-long tribute that includes consumer promotions and a Goody's-themed car paint scheme on the legendary No. 43 NEXTEL Cup race car. Kicking off the launch of the new Cool Orange flavor with a sponsorship of the NEXTEL Cup Race in Martinsville, Va., on April, 1 2007 to be called the Goody's Cool Orange 500. Two Goody's Cool Orange-themed car paint schemes on the car driven by two-time NEXTEL Cup champion, Tony Stewart, in Busch Series races. Fan engagement in the highly popular Goody's Fast Relief Zone at 11 of the most popular venues on the NASCAR circuit. Goody's billboards and signage at several NASCAR tracks in the south. Continuation of the Goody's Headache of the Race Award and advertising on popular racing networks. Support of the Goody's Body Shop at the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
[Pictured: Wrigley's vice president of U.S. Marketing, Paul Chibe, is joined by drivers (left to right) David Stremme, Reed Sorenson and Juan Pablo Montoya along with team owner Chip Ganassi after unveiling the No. 42 Big Red Dodge, which will be piloted by Montoya for three NEXTEL Cup races in 2007.]
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