Welcome, NC (April 8, 2008) – American Eurocopter, a subsidiary of the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world, Eurocopter, has joined the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) family of partners as an associate sponsor of the No. 29 Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS for the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series season.
Drivers Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer return to share the driving duties of the No. 29 after combining their efforts in 2007 to earn six victories and the NASCAR Nationwide Series owner’s championship. After seven races in 2008, the team has one victory (Bristol in March), three top-five and four top-10 finishes and is second in the owner point standings, 28 points behind RCR teammate Clint Bowyer.
"We are big fans of RCR and NASCAR," says Marc Paganini, president and CEO of American Eurocopter. "When we decided to get involved with NASCAR, we knew we wanted to team up with the best. We are excited to be involved with RCR and to be one of the sponsors of the No. 29."
Childress purchased a Eurocopter AS355 N Twin Star from American Eurocopter in 2007. The AS355 N Twin Star is a twin-engine, multi-mission helicopter with a top speed of 150 knots. It is a member of the Astar family of helicopters, which are the most popular turbine helicopters in the world and are known for their high performance, safety and low operating costs.
"American Eurocopter has an amazing product and we’re very happy to welcome them to the RCR family of partners," says Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "Our decision to purchase a Eurocopter AS355N last year was made after a very thorough process to determine which helicopter manufacturer was at the top when it came to performance and reliability. In the end, there is no question that we made the right decision. To now have American Eurocopter on-board as a partner in our racing program is a great next step in building our relationship."
About American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter is the American subsidiary of Eurocopter, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world, and EADS North America, the North American operations of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. American Eurocopter markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and para-public helicopters offered by any manufacturer. The product line represents the most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters, ranging from light single to heavy twin, serving all markets and missions. American Eurocopter's headquarters and main facility are in Grand Prairie, Texas, with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, Mississippi. The company also has its West Coast Regional Support Facility, located in Long Beach, California, with plans in place to bring support facilities to other regions throughout the United States.
About Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned nearly 180 victories and 11 NASCAR championships, including the 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series owners’ point title and six in the Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Truck Series. Its 2008 Cup Series lineup includes Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel’s), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T). Its 2008 Nationwide Series lineup includes Clint Bowyer (No. 2 BB&T), Bobby Labonte and Stephen Leicht (No. 21 Chevrolet) and Burton and Scott Wimmer (No. 29 Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express).
