Photo – Michael Waltrip Racing
Aaron’s, Inc. announced today a multi-year agreement to sponsor Brian Vickers in Michael Waltrip Racing‘s (MWR) No. 55 Toyota Camry in every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
“We at Aaron’s are thrilled about this partnership. We’re building a championship organization – and we know that Brian Vickers and the No. 55 team, under Michael Waltrip‘s tradition of winning are focused on building a championship caliber team,” said Ronald W. Allen, Aaron’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “So many of our customers are enthusiastic and loyal NASCAR fans and we are proud to be a part of a sport they are passionate about. We are looking forward to continued success with Brian Vickers both on and off the track.”
Vickers has been part of the No. 55 Aaron’s team on a part-time basis the last two seasons for MWR with impressive results, especially as a part-time driver. Vickers’ most recent win is the third of his career at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 14.
For the 2014 season, Brian Vickers is the only driver of the Aaron’s Dream Machine for every race and the new paint scheme for his No. 55 car was unveiled today at NASCAR’s Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC.
“I can’t put into words how this makes me feel,” said 29-year-old Vickers. “I’ve really found my home at MWR over the past few years, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know the Aaron’s associates and customers. I am honored that Aaron’s is welcoming me into their family full-time. Knowing that I have a top-notch team and a dedicated sponsor for a full-season is a really great feeling every driver dreams about, and like everyone else, I want to win races and win a championship. Michael and co-owner Rob Kauffman are really building something special at MWR and are giving me the tools to accomplish those goals.”
Driving full-time at MWR is huge for Brian Vickers and his racing career. After the 2011 season, and the closing his Red Bull Racing team within NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, Vickers was picked up by MWR to fill-in for a limited number of races in the No. 55 car. Vickers filled in for those races not run by Mark Martin and team owner Michael Waltrip. But make no mistakes, this announcement reinforces a banner partnership for Michael Waltrip Racing and Aaron’s as well.
“Aaron’s is a cornerstone to MWR’s success. This is a big announcement today because it shows a tremendous vote of confidence in the sport of NASCAR and the entire Michael Waltrip Racing organization,” said Michael Waltrip, founder and co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing.
“The relationship with Aaron’s is very personal to me because they helped place Michael Waltrip Racing on the map in 2000 when I was running a half-dozen Nationwide Series races from a small garage in my backyard. Now they are enabling MWR to continue its growth as we will have three rivers racing for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship in 2014 and beyond. So much of this confidence comes from the NASCAR fans who continue to support the sponsors of our teams. I want to sincerely thank the NASCAR fans who are Aaron’s customers because you make this all happen,” said Waltrip.
In 2002, Aaron’s expanded their relationship within NASCAR by becoming a title sponsor of Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, in the Nationwide Series’ Aaron’s 312 and the Sprint Cup Series’ Aaron’s 499 races.
No information was given about the future of Mark Martin, adding to speculation about his racing career beyond the 2013 season.
