3M will join 11-time Sprint Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports beginning with the 2015 NASCAR season when it will become a primary sponsor of driver Jeff Gordon and his #24 Chevy SS team. The new relationship will feature 3M as a primary sponsor in 11 Sprint Cup races annually and as an associate-level partner in all other events. The agreement covers the 2015, 2016 and 2017 NASCAR seasons. All five of 3M’s business units, which comprise more than $31 billion in annual sales, will use the sponsorship in consumer promotions, product launches and business-to-business opportunities. With more than 65 of its products used in the construction and maintenance of Sprint Cup Series race cars, 3M for decades has played a key role in the success of NASCAR teams. The company manufactures more than 80,000 different products and has been an official NASCAR partner across several categories since 1995.(Hendrick Motorsports)(8-12-2014)
UPDATE: The 3M decision now leaves Roush Fenway looking for sponsorship for Biffle, who recently signed a multiyear extension to remain with the team. ‘We’re thankful for the 10-year relationship we’ve enjoyed with 3M that included some of Roush Fenway’s most memorable victories,’ Roush Fenway President Steve Newmark said in a statement. ‘We have some exciting ’15 partnership announcements for the No. 16 coming up in the next few weeks and look forward to sharing those soon.’(Sporting News)
AND Greg Biffle tweeted Tuesday evening, ‘I am excited to announce our new sponsor in a few weeks!!! Wish we could do it now but you know how contracts are !!!’.(8-13-2014)
