CitiFinancial today announced that it will expand its partnership with Robert Yates Racing (RYR) by sponsoring 19 NASCAR Busch Series races in 2005 – the first time the company has taken the primary sponsorship on a NASCAR racing car. CitiFinancial will continue the associate sponsorship deals that it initiated this year with RYR on its #88 UPS Ford and #38 M&M Ford, which compete in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. “We’re excited about taking this great partnership with Robert Yates Racing and NASCAR to the next level,” said Kevin Kessinger, Executive Vice President of Citigroup’s Global Consumer Group and President of Consumer Finance North America. “This is a big step for CitiFinancial, and we couldn’t be happier that we’re taking it with these exceptional organizations.” Dale Jarrett and Elliott Sadler will share seat time in the CitiFinancial car, which will make its debut on Feb. 26 at the California Speedway. The 19-race deal also includes NASCAR’s debut in Mexico, where the Banamex logo will be added to the CitiFinancial car for the March 6 event at the historic Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez road course. “We could not be more pleased to enhance this relationship,” said Harry Goff, President and CEO of CitiFinancial. “Many of us at CitiFinancial – our employees and our customers – are huge NASCAR fans. The first year of our partnership was a tremendous success, and we look forward to a long relationship with Robert Yates Racing and this great sport.”
“We are excited to be a part of CitiFinancial’s first ever primary sponsorship and proud to be associated with a company that values teams on and off the track,” said Robert Yates, owner of Robert Yates Racing. “Together we make a very successful team.” CitiFinancial’s car will be unveiled today in New York City at an annual Street & Smith NASCAR Motorsports forum, part of NASCAR’s Champion’s Week in the Big Apple. The company held a press conference today at 7:45am/et at the Westin Times Square.(Business Wire), note: the car will be the #90 Ford.(12-2-2004)
