At the start of 2014, Richard Petty Motorsports announced a three-year extension and investment increase by Smithfield Foods on the #43 Ford team. The previous year RPM welcomed new partners Strike 10 Entertainment and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to join Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force and longtime partner STP. The result was the RPM #43 team winning for the first time since 1999 and sending Aric Almirola into The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Today, the organization with a championship history, winning present and proven marketing programs, announced it will use the same aggressive business and growth model to support the #9 Ford team in 2015 and beyond in a series of announcements. RPM will continue to be a two-car NASCAR Sprint Cup organization and will compete weekly with the #9 and #43 teams. The organization will also return current manufacturer partner Ford Racing and subsequently will continue its services contract with Roush Fenway Racing and Roush Yates Engines to supply new Ford Fusion chassis and Ford horsepower for both teams. Twisted Tea Brewing Company will continue their primary sponsorship of the #9 team in 2015 as the RPM marketing and new business team continues various discussions with several companies.(Richard Petty Motorsports)(9-17-2014)
