After re-branding Richard Petty Motorsports’ second team — swapping numbers from the No. 9 to the No. 44 — the organization announced an expanded sponsorship package for Brian Scott.
The organization, which had a plethora of sponsors on Sam Hornish, Jr.’s car in 2015, will have two companies as the primary sponsor for Scott’s ride in his rookie season.
Bringing over his sponsors from Richard Childress Racing, Scott has continued his partnership with Albertsons and Shore Lodge. The multi-year deal with both corporations will have them split the primary sponsorship on the No. 44 car for 16 races per year.
“I have great memories with my time at RCR and I appreciate everything that they did during my time over there,” Scott said. “The nature of this sport is that the landscape changes and opportunities come and go. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to make anything happen up there, but I feel like I have a really tremendous opportunity with Richard Petty Motorsports to come from Chevy to Ford.
“It’s not going to be a cake walk. There are going to be challenges as far as having a new team, new people in place and a new rules package in place. It won’t be easy, but it will be a good challenge and I think we’re up for it.”
Along with adding Shore Lodge and Albertsons, Twisted Tea has continued its partnership with RPM to be the primary sponsor on Scott’s No. 44 for three races after sponsoring Hornish for four events in 2015. GoBowling.com will sponsor the team for at least one event, with Goody’s also being included in Scott’s sponsorship package.
“We made the commitment to run the full season with Sam [in 2015], but unfortunately, we weren’t able to get the right partners associated with Sam,” Brian Moffitt, CEO of Richard Petty Motorsports, said. “We even have some major associates on that car [the No. 44] that could be primary sponsors in the future. Brian has been there every day with the guys and you want to see that interaction. It has been really solid with having Brian here so far.”
With the increased funding for RPM’s second car, the team will continue to hang its own bodies in 2016. New for 2016 will be the organization’s ability to build its own chassis, which it had previously been receiving from Roush Fenway Racing as RPM looks to get back into the Chase with Aric Almirola and Scott.
“We’re not in that good of shape, but we’re in a lot better shape than what we have been in,” Richard Petty, co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports, explained. “Going into this year, we can do things that we haven’t done in the past three or four years. At the end of the year, we might spend it all, but if we’re having a good year, that will make up for it.”