Stewart Haas Racing co-owner-driver Tony Stewart says the signing of Mobil 1 as a co-primary sponsor of his No. 14 entry has fulfilled the team's objectives in acquiring the the bulk of funding necessary for SHR's two-car team.
The Sprint Cup series team had been in the hunt for new sponsors for 2011 as the deal with Old Spice, which shares as main sponsor with Office Depot and Burger King on Stewart's car, expires at the end of the season. The two-time champion, who won last Sunday in the fourth Chase event at Fontana, will now sport the logos of Mobil 1 on his car, while teammate Ryan Newman's car will also carry associate sponsorship from Mobil 1.
Mobil 1 is also NASCAR's official motor oil and switches to Stewart's team following many years with Penske Racing. The brand's logos currently feature on the No. 77 car of Sam Hornish, but the IndyCar and NASCAR squad announced earlier this year the signing of a major deal with Shell/Pennzoil.
"We're in good shape on the 14 car now," said Stewart. "This has fulfilled what we're looking for to fill the void for Old Spice next year. It allows us to now put that project behind us. We're still always looking for new partners. You never stop in that category.
"So the search [for sponsors] isn't necessarily over. But this does fill the void from the Old Spice brand leaving at the end of the year. On Ryan [Newman's] car, we're still looking for some associate sponsorship also, but we're very happy that Tornados and U.S. Army are coming back again. Exciting to have new partners that have come into the sport that are excited and happy with what we're doing and that want to return."
Stewart's deal with ExxonMobil also includes his teams in USAC midgets and World of Outlaws, as well as the Eldora Speedway in Ohio, which he owns.