SMITHFIELD, Va. – Smithfield Foods, sponsor of the No.43 Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) race team, will bring racing excitement to Smithfield, Virginia, for the April 21 race weekend at Richmond International Speedway, the team’s home track.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and No.43 driver Aric Almirola will meet with fans, discuss the race, sign autographs and take photos during the live broadcast of “NASCAR Race Hub” from Smithfield Foods’ headquarters. This is the first live, on-location broadcast for the popular FOX NASCAR news and entertainment show.
“Over the past five years, we have sought to be seen as part of the fabric of the sport,” said Bob Weber, Smithfield vice president of sponsorships. “Being authentic and sharing our unique access to the sport, Aric, and The King has been the hallmark of our partnership. Having FS1 and ‘NASCAR Race Hub’ at our campus is another extension of our ‘share the access’ approach to the sport. We look forward to meeting and welcoming everyone to our ‘Racing Party’ this Thursday.”
Host Adam Alexander, analyst and former crew chief Larry McReynolds, and reporter Kaitlyn Vince will be on-site for the broadcast while host Danielle Trotta and analyst and former crew chief Andy Petree join the show from the Charlotte studio.
Petty and Almirola will judge an amateur bacon eating contest and two iconic Richard Petty cars will be on display; a replica of his 1967 Plymouth Belvedere that won 27 races in a single season including 10 in a row and the feature car in an upcoming documentary titled “Building 43”; and the most recognizable Plymouth Superbird. In addition the RPM No.43 Smithfield Ford Fusion, racing engines from Roush Yates Racing and Ford, and the Richmond International Raceway’s Pace Car will all be onsite. Smithfield Foods brands will have several displays onsite with games and prizes including the flagship Nathan’s and Eckrich.
“We’re in the fifth year of our partnership with the Smithfield family, and I can tell you that they get as excited about race weekends as we do,” Almirola said. “It’s cool that they are bringing in these fantastic displays and a great show like ‘NASCAR Race Hub’ to broadcast in their hometown, really allowing fellow employees and local residents to share in the excitement.”
“Smithfield came to the table embracing originality,” said Neil Mulcahy, FOX Sports executive vice president, ad sales. “I think this is a time of true evolution in sports advertising … while the 30-second spot is still the cornerstone of most campaigns, companies are now looking at creative opportunities to develop content that connects their brand even deeper within the fabric of the sports in which they are investing.”
In 2012, Meat+Poultry looked at the processors sponsoring NASCAR drivers.
Take a look at it here: http://www.nxtbook.com/sosland/mp/2012_08_01/index.php
