WIX Filters® Joins Richard Childress Racing in 2014

Wednesday, 20 November 2013

Automotive air and oil filter leader will also provide technical support to ECR Engines

WELCOME, N.C. (November 20, 2013) – WIX Filters®, a member of the Affinia Group family of brands, announced today it will join Richard Childress Racing and serve as the primary sponsor of Ryan Newman for three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races and one race with Brendan Gaughan in the NASCAR Nationwide Series during the 2014 season.

Newman will drive the black and yellow No. 31 Chevrolet SS at Pocono Raceway in June, Daytona International Speedway in July and Michigan International Speedway in August, while Gaughan will carry the WIX Filters colors at Auto Club Speedway in March.

WIX Filters will also become a technical partner to both RCR and ECR Engines, providing air and oil filters as well as research and development support. WIX will utilize marketing rights to RCR’s drivers, cars and teams in the Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series. All RCR race cars will be adorned with the WIX Filters logo under the hood.

“Since 2010, Ryan Newman has been a tremendous advocate of the WIX Filters brand, both on and off the track,” said Mike Harvey, brand manager for WIX Filters. “Our customers have valued our relationship with Ryan, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with him in 2014. In addition, our technical partnership with RCR goes back many years, and we are excited to play a role at both RCR and ECR Engines.”

“WIX Filters is a first-rate partner to have for any team in racing,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “They are a market leader and the performance and reliability of their products helps us perform on the track. I look forward to also having WIX featured as the primary sponsor for some races next year with both Ryan (Newman) and Brendan (Gaughan).”

A graduate of Purdue University, Newman has amassed 17 wins, 93 top-five finishes, 184 top-10 finishes, 51 pole awards and led 4,617 laps over his 14-year Sprint Cup Series career. His career highlights also include wins in the prestigious Daytona 500 in 2008 and Brickyard 400 earlier this season.

“I am looking forward to continuing the relationship with WIX Filters,” said Newman. “We’ve had a lot of fun together racing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. I look forward to representing them at RCR and getting the WIX Filters Chevrolet into Victory Lane.”

Gaughan will compete full time in the Nationwide Series during the 2014 season in RCR's No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro. Driving for RCR during the 2013 season, the Las Vegas native competed full time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, along with three Nationwide Series starts.

“WIX Filters has been in the sport for an extremely long time so to have them join RCR is fantastic,” said Brendan Gaughan. “I’m thrilled to have them on board and even more excited to have them working with ECR Engines. I’m also looking forward to having such an iconic racing brand associated with my team and I next season.”

For more information on WIX Filters and behind-the-scenes content throughout the season, visit www.wixfilters.com, like them on Facebook at facebook.com/wixfilters or follow them on Twitter @WIXFilters.

About WIX Filters:

Since 1939, WIX® Filters has been an innovator in filtration products. WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive, diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Its product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks, off-road equipment and manufacturing applications. For more information, visit www.wixfilters.com.

About Richard Childress Racing:

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcracing.com) has earned more than 200 victories and 14 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 Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Its 2013 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser/Jimmy John’s/Rheem Chevrolet) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar/Cheerios Chevrolet). Its Nationwide Series program includes Brian Scott (No. 2 Shore Lodge/Armour Vienna Sausage/Fast Fixin’/Charter/Husky Liners Chevrolet), 2012 Nationwide Series rookie of the year Austin Dillon (No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet) and an all-star driver lineup on the No. 33 Menards/Rheem/WESCO/Armour Vienna Sausage/Hunt Brothers Pizza/Fast Fixin’ Chevrolet team. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series program features 2012 Camping World Truck Series rookie of the year Ty Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Brendan Gaughan (No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet).