Photo Credit: Noel Lanier
Austin Dillon and Ty Dillon to drive Rheem Chevrolet Camaros in 2016
WELCOME, N.C. (January 21, 2016) – After recording its most successful racing season ever as a NASCAR sponsor, Rheem Manufacturing Company (Rheem) returns as a NASCAR XFINITY Series primary sponsor for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 2 Chevrolet team with Austin Dillon and enhances their program as a primary sponsor for select races on the No. 3 Chevrolet with Ty Dillon for select races. Rheem, a global leader in heating, cooling and water heating products, will serve as an associate partner on both Chevrolets for the 2016 season.
“RCR has a legacy of leadership and commitment to excellence that provides a first class showcase for the Rheem family of quality brands,” said JR Jones, Rheem President and CEO. “Rheem’s customer-first culture produces industry-leading innovations, inspired new technologies and thoughtful designs that deliver a new degree of home comfort and energy efficiency to customers worldwide. So, Rheem is very pleased to partner again with RCR and to have the opportunity to thank our customers and recognize our brands through RCR’s winning NASCAR tradition. We wish RCR much success in 2016 and beyond.”
Rheem has a history of success with RCR, with their relationship dating back to 2007 as a primary or associate partner in various NASCAR series. Rheem has been the official heating, cooling and water heating provider to RCR for more than nine years.
“Our partnership with Rheem has proven to be a successful one for all of us at RCR over the years,” said Richard Childress, CEO and chairman of Richard Childress Racing. “Rheem and RCR both represent quality, durability and overall performance, making this a great relationship. Rheem focuses on providing their customers with reliable and innovative comfort solutions and a commitment to continuous improvement, operating in a similar way RCR approaches our business. We appreciate the support Rheem has given us and expect to make 2016 another great year.”
Austin Dillon will drive the No. 2 Rheem Chevrolet under the RCR banner during the 2016 XFINITY Series season while maintaining a full schedule in RCR’s No. 3 Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series where Rheem will serve as an associate partner on that entry. The Rheem team competed in multiple XFINITY Series events in 2015 and tallying it’s most dominant performance ever as a NASCAR sponsor, collecting four victories, a series-leading seven pole awards, 13 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes.
“Our Rheem team had a strong season last year with a lot of success,” said Austin Dillon. “We brought home a handful of victories and have significant momentum heading into this year. Rheem is known for their long tradition of reliability and quality in the water heating and HVAC industry, and our family is known for its long NASCAR tradition of reliability and top performance. We make a great team, and I’m honored to represent Rheem again this year.”
Although 2016 marks the first year Rheem will serve as a primary sponsor on the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro, driver Ty Dillon has a history with the performance-driven company. He drove a Rheem Chevrolet in three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events in 2015, and Rheem was the co-primary sponsor with Realtree for his Sprint Cup Series debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2014.
“I’ve enjoyed meeting some of Rheem’s valued customers, distributors and employees over the past few years at the race track and while visiting our facilities in Welcome,” said Ty Dillon. “I’m proud to represent Rheem as they continue their partnership with RCR. We look forward to continuing our success together in 2016.”
Rheem will begin the year with the No. 2 Chevrolet team for the XFINITY Series season-opener at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 3 Chevrolet will feature the company’s legendary Rheem red, black and white branding at Atlanta Motor Speedway the following weekend.
About Rheem: (www.Rheem.com)
Rheem is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta and U.S. operations in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas.Rheem is the only manufacturer in the world that produces heating, cooling, water heating, pool & spa heating and commercial refrigeration products, and it is the largest manufacturer of water heating products in North America. In its 90th year of operation, the company is a global manufacturer of residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar and hybrid heat pump water heaters; whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters; indoor air-purification products; commercial boilers; and commercial refrigeration equipment. The company’s premium brands include Rheem, Raypak, Ruud and Richmond, as well as commercial refrigeration brands Russell, Witt, ColdZone and Kramer, which are part of the company’s Heat Transfer Products Group (HTPG) division. Rheem products have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design and high quality.
About Richard Childress Racing:
Richard Childress Racing (rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. RCR has earned more than 200 victories and 15 championships, including six in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Its 2016 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Dow/American Ethanol/Cheerios Chevrolet), 2011 Brickyard 400 champion Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet) and 2008 Daytona 500 champion and 2013 Brickyard 400 winner Ryan Newman (No. 31 Caterpillar/WIX Filters/Grainger Chevrolet). Its XFINITY Series program includes a multi-driver lineup with Austin Dillon and Paul Menard (No. 2 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet), 2012 Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year Ty Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Rheem/WESCO/Red Kap Chevrolet), Rookie of the Year contender Brandon Jones (No. 33 Menards/Nexteer Chevrolet) and Brendan Gaughan (No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino/WIX Filters Chevrolet).
