JTG Daugherty Racing owners to announce 2012 sponsor lineup for the #47 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry, make official driver announcement, and upcoming changes for the racing organization on Sunday, October 23rd [not Sat,] at Talladega Superspeedway. Bobby Labonte is the current driver.(JTG)(10-20-2011)
UPDATE: per JTG Daugherty Racing Twitters: JTG Daugherty Racing press conference, Bobby Labonte returns to drive the #47 Toyota with Todd Berrier as the crew chief, current crew chief, Frank Kerr ,oves to shop foreman position.
AND Sunday morning JTG Daugherty Racing owners Tad and Jodi Geschickter and Brad Daugherty announced their NASCAR Sprint Cup Series plans for the 2012 season at a press conference at Talladega Superspeedway. Driving for JTG Daugherty Racing again next season will be 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte. In addition to Labonte signing for next season, Todd Berrier has been named as crew chief and general manager of the JTG Daugherty Racing operation. Berrier spent nearly two decades as a crew chief at Richard Childress Racing and led his team into the Chase for the Sprint Cup four times. Along the way, he won several races. Notable wins as crew chief, include the 2007 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and the 2003 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with driver Kevin Harvick. “I’m looking forward to this new opportunity with JTG Daugherty Racing and working with Bobby.” said Berrier, who mentioned he has 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins as a crew chief, not counting non-points races he has won. Frank Kerr, who has performed crew chief duties for JTG Daugherty Racing during the last four seasons will take on a new role as shop foreman. Toyota and TRD USA (Toyota Racing Development) will continue to support the #47 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry as the team returns to the Harrisburg, N.C. race shop for their base of race operations.
Laerte Zatta, formerly of TRD, will be the team’s director of engineering.
In addition to the personnel and structural changes in store for 2012, JTG Daugherty Racing continues to stay ahead of the industry on sponsorship procurement and retention. JTG Daugherty Racing announced that the Kingsford Charcoal will return for its fifteenth season with the team. Further complimenting the platform, Bush’s Beans will return for its 10th season with the team. Also, returning is Kimberly-Clark Corporation whose SCOTT Paper Products seeks to become the paper product of choice for the tailgate. Rounding out the shopper BBQ solution will be Hidden Valley, KC Masterpiece Barbeque Sauces & marinades, and Glad bags and wraps.
The “Take Care of Your Crew” platform is based on the concern for the rising cost of healthcare and the fact that shoppers are seeking to make healthier choices to take care of their families. Clorox® bleach and bleach-based cleaning and disinfecting products will be the cornerstone of the promotion. Co-sponsoring is Kimberly-Clark whose brands provide people with essentials for a better life by adding convenience to daily routines with some of the world’s most recognized products.
Reese Towpower and Highland products will also return as sponsors (no word on which races or how many races each with sponsor has been announced as of yet).(JTG Daugherty Racing)(10-23-2011)(10-23-2011)
