Shell switches from RCR to Penske
Shell has signed a multi-year deal to sponsor Penske Racing both in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series, as well as in the IndyCar Series
The Shell and Pennzoil logos will adorn the #22 Sprint Cup machine of 2004 series champion Kurt Busch from next year as his main sponsor, switching over from Richard Childress Racing, where they currently feature on the #29 car of Kevin Harvick.
The announcement comes in line with a renewal for Busch, whose contract with the team was up at the end of the season. Miller Lite, his current sponsor, will stay in the #2 Penske Dodge, which will be driven by team-mate Brad Keselowski next year.
The oil company will be Penske's official fuel and motor oil supplier from 2011, becoming also an associate sponsor of the team's IndyCar effort with drivers Helio Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe and Will Power. The Australian is currently leading the championship, ahead of his Brazilian team-mate.
Mobil had backed the team for many years, and is currently the main sponsor for former IndyCar champion Sam Hornish Jr, who drives the #77 Mobil 1 Dodge in the Sprint Cup series. Following today's announcement however, the company is expected to move on, having announced a technical partnership with Toyota Racing Development at the end of last year.
Hornish may still end up driving for Penske in 2011, moving to the #12 car with a different sponsor, but the team has yet to announce the line-up for its third car.
For the second year in succession RCR loses one of their main sponsors, having Jack Daniels departing last year. Harvick's contract with the team expires at the end of the season, and his continuity with the team is still up in the air.
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