Photo Credit: Noel Lanier
Albertsons and the Safeway family of stores, which combined is the second-largest supermarket chain in North America, will partner with Richard Childress Racing, Brian Scott and the No. 2 NASCAR XFINITY Series team in 2015. The stores operate under store banners Albertsons, ACME, Shaw’s, Star Markets, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Amigos, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Tom Thumb, Randalls, VONS, Pavilions, Carrs and Safeway.
In select NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, Scott will drive the No. 33 Circle Sport Racing Chevrolet SS with Albertsons as the primary sponsor. Founded in Boise, Idaho, the 76-year-old grocery chain will feature its supermarket brands along with several vendor partners this season.
“Albertsons is a company rich with history and known for its quality supermarkets, innovation and people,” said Richard Childress, CEO and Chairman for Richard Childress Racing. “Joe Albertson opened his first store in 1939 and built the company with a simple philosophy: ‘whatever you do, take care of the customer.’ It’s something we strive to do at RCR every day and we’re proud to represent the Albertsons’ legacy and their 250,000 associates. They are a terrific addition to our family of blue-chip partners here at RCR.”
Albertsons will be making its return to NASCAR after leading Brian Scott to his first career NASCAR victory in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Dover International Speedway in 2009.
“The relationship between Albertsons and my family is a very special one,” Scott said. “This partnership will give me the opportunity to expand those relationship with the company and gain new ones with their associates. Albertsons was a part of my first NASCAR win, and if all things go well, they’ll be a part of my first XFINITY Series win as well.”
With more than 2,200 stores, 250,000 employees and 27 distribution centers across 34 states, Albertsons rich legacy in the grocery business synchronizes with the roots of NASCAR and RCR.
“The partnership with Richard Childress Racing and Brian Scott is important to everyone at the Albertsons-Safeway family of stores,” said Shane Sampson, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Merchandising. ” Joe Albertson and Richard (Childress) both began their respective companies with humble beginnings, but with a focus on ‘doing what it right for the customer.’ We are proud to have Brian Scott representing the Albertsons legacy both on and off the track and look forward to this coming season.”
Scott, who finished fourth in the 2014 driver point standings, will race full time in the XFINITY Series for the sixth consecutive season.
