Danica Patrick announced a multiyear deal partnership with Nature’s Bakery during a press conference at Stewart-Haas Racing. [Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for Stewart-Haas Racing]
Danica Patrick poses with the new Nature’s Bakery #10 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet. [Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for Stewart-Haas Racing]
Stewart-Haas Racing announced today that Danica Patrick’s contract has been extended and a multi-year deal has been made with Nature’s Bakery to sponsor her #10 Chevrolet.
Earlier this season, long-time sponsor of Patrick, GoDaddy, announced that they would not continue their primary sponsorship at the end of the year. Patrick, who was in the final year of her contract with Stewart-Haas Racing, was not sure what would happen going forward.
“This is really the first year that I’ve had to wonder or worry what I’m going to do in the next year,” explained Patrick. “I’ve been extremely fortunate in my career to not have to think about that. One deal rolled into the next. There was not a lot of concern. So I’ve had a lot of comfort over a decade.”
A relationship between Haas Automation and Nature’s Bakery turned into the sponsorship to keep Patrick with the only team she has driven for in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
“It’s exciting how it came about,” said executive vice president of Nature’s Bakery, Sam Marson. “It was through Haas Automation actually. We build a lot of our own baking equipment. So that relationship with my regional sales rep of Haas Automation got together and became friends. He happened to have a contact here at Stewart-Haas Racing. The dialogue started. It was kind of a crazy idea that we’ve made reality here today.”
Nature’s Bakery was founded in 2010 by Dave Marson and his son Sam with a mission of making delicious convenient on-the-go snacks and foods that complement health conscious living and everyday active lifestyles. The company has plants in St Louis, MO and Reno, Nevada employing approximately 420 people.
Nature’s Bakery will serve as the primary sponsor for Patrick in 28 of the 38 races during the 2016 season starting with the Daytona 500.
Patrick is having arguably her best season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. She is currently 21st in the point standings with two top ten finishes through 23 races. In two full seasons prior to this year, Patrick has four top ten finishes with a best finish of 6th at the Atlanta Motor Speedway last season.
“I feel like our brands align so perfectly, it’s kind of amazing,” said Patrick about the Nature’s Bakery partnership and her fitness lifestyle. “I think that journey is going to be really fun. I think there’s going to be lots of exciting things that we can do together in the future. Of course, on top of that, being able to re-sign with Tony and here at Stewart-Haas is very important to me. I really, really do feel like family here. I feel like there’s nowhere else I want to be.”
Patrick explained that during the uncertain times, she did not look to other teams to drive for.
“Did I talk to any other teams? No. You know, I really feel fortunate that I didn’t have to. I knew this is where I wanted to be.”
Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but driver/owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, Tony Stewart explained that it is a multi-year deal.
“As far as the term of the contract, we never disclose that at SHR with either our partners or our drivers,” said Stewart. “It’s a multi-year contract. We’ve got a great relationship with Danica, Dave and Sam, Nature’s Bakery. This is something that is not a short-term deal by any means. To grow the brand and to help these guys grow this company is not something that you do in a one- or two-year deal. Real excited about having them onboard and having Danica onboard long-term, as well.”
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