For the past four years, Pepsi-Cola has enjoyed a successful relationship
with Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports, highlighted by its associate
sponsorship of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet in the Winston Cup Series and its
two-year title sponsorship of Gordon's #24 Pepsi Chevrolet on the Busch
Series. But now, the Pepsi car graduates to the Winston Cup, where a Pepsi car
has not been seen since Darrell Waltrip's Pepsi Challenger finished second in
points in 1983.
Last June, Pepsi extended its relationship with Gordon through 2005 and
will continue to include him in promotional activities. Since 1998, Gordon has
starred in three television commercials for Pepsi's flagship brand.
"I'm very excited to take Pepsi back to the Winston Cup series and to
continue our partnership for the next five years," said Jeff Gordon.
"We had two great years in the Busch series with the #24 Pepsi car and
look forward to the two paint-out races this season."
"It's great to have a Pepsi car back on the Winston Cup circuit,"
said Katie Lacey, director of sports marketing for Pepsi. "Jeff and the
team did a great job in the Pepsi car on the Busch series, and Jeff closed out
his Busch career in style with a huge win at Homestead. And now, even more
fans will be able to see him race. This car will really turn some heads."
Pepsi has been involved with Winston Cup racing since NASCAR introduced the
sport in 1948. Pepsi serves its products at 18 of the 23 Winston Cup Series
tracks and is the title sponsor of NASCAR Winston Cup Series races in Daytona,
Fla. (Pepsi 400), Brooklyn, Mich. (Pepsi 400) and Darlington, S.C. (Pepsi
Southern 500).
Pepsi-Cola Company (www.pepsi.com),
headquartered in Purchase, N.Y., is the global beverage division of PepsiCo,
Inc. (www.pepsico.com).
Its brands in the United States include Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi ONE, Mountain
Dew, Mug, Sierra Mist, Slice, Wild Cherry Pepsi, Aquafina, All Sport and
FruitWorks. The company also makes and markets North America's #1
ready-to-drink iced teas and coffees, respectively, via joint ventures with
Lipton and Starbucks.
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