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| Danica Patrick is a free agent |
Smithfield Foods announced last week that it will leave Richard
Petty Motorsports at season’s end to join Stewart-Haas Racing as a primary team
sponsor.
No announcement was made concerning which SHR Ford will carry the
Smithfield logo, or who will drive the car. An announcement from the team
confirmed, however, that a “driver will be added to SHR’s Monster Energy NASCAR
Cup Series lineup in 2018.”
“We’re very proud to have Smithfield Foods join the Stewart-Haas
Racing family,” said SHR president Brett Frood. “Smithfield has activated heavily
and successfully within the sport, and we’re honored to be a part of the
brand’s forward initiatives and strategy. Although we’re not ready to announce
the full details of the program, we look forward to this new endeavor while
remaining focused on the upcoming playoffs and putting forth the best effort
possible to win more races and contend for another championship.”
Shortly after
that announcement, Danica Patrick confirmed that her tenue at SHR will
end at Homestead Miami Speedway.
“It has been my
honor to drive for Tony Stewart, Gene Haas and everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing
for the past six seasons,” said Patrick in a written statement. “Together, we
earned a Daytona 500 pole, seven top-10 finishes and we also had some exciting
racing along the way. My time driving for them, however, has come to an end due
to a new sponsorship arrangement in 2018.
“Sponsorship
plays a vital role in our sport, and I have been very fortunate over the course
of my career, but this year threw us for a curve. Our amazing partners, such as
Aspen Dental and Code 3, stepped up in a big way on short notice this year and
I am incredibly grateful. I wish SHR the best of luck with their new sponsorship and
driver. Thanks for the memories. Right now, my focus is on the remainder of the
2017 season and finishing the year strong. I have the utmost faith in myself
and those around me, and feel confident about my future.”
sponsorship giveth (godaddy) and sponsorship taketh away.
ReplyDeleteI guess everybody is afraid to comment on this one due to well, lets just say whatever! Other than 1 pole and a lot of wrecked cars over the past 6 years, what really has she done for her car owner? That is the true question! Here's to Aric in the #10 next year and I guess we will have to watch her in the #27 for at least another year!
ReplyDelete