Major sponsors moving
Wednesday, Apr. 21, 2010
Former Sprint Cup champion Kurt Busch is getting a new deal and a new look.
Penske Racing confirmed Wednesday Busch will move to the No. 22 Dodge next season with sponsorship from Shell/Pennzoil. The new sponsor addition will correspond to a long-term contract extension for Busch at the Penske organization.
The Observer first reported the sponsor change and Busch's agreement to a contract extension with Penske on Tuesday night. Shell has served as Kevin Harvick's sponsor at Richard Childress Racing since the 2007 season.
"What this creates for RCR is the opportunity for a new partner to forge its own relationship and identity with Kevin Harvick and the championship-level team led by crew chief Gil Martin, our other race teams and drivers and our other 35 partners," said RCR owner Richard Childress in a statement.
As part of the change, Busch's current sponsor, Miller Lite, will remain on the No. 2 Dodge with driving duties taken over by Busch's teammate, Brad Keselowski.
The move of Shell to Penske will coincide with the departure of sponsor Mobil 1 from the No. 77 Dodge currently driven by Sam Hornish Jr.
Penske officials say they are working on obtaining additional sponsorship for Hornish for the 2011 season in the Cup series.
Busch joined Penske in 2006 and has seven wins with the organization. He finished fourth in the series standings last year, his best since winning the title in 2004. He is currently ninth in points this season with a victory last month at Atlanta.
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