EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass., January 29, 2007 — LENOX® Industrial Tools, a
leading manufacturer of premium band saw blades, power tool accessories,
hand tools and torches announced today that the East Longmeadow, Mass.,
based company has partnered with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and
driver Jeff Burton in a multi-year sponsorship agreement beginning with
the 2007 NASCAR Cup season.
LENOX will be an associate sponsor throughout the season on Burton’s No.
31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet. The LENOX logo will appear on the rear
quarter panels of the car just behind the rear wheels.
In addition, LENOX will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 31 in
two races during the 2007 season – May 5 at Richmond International
Raceway and July 1 at New Hampshire International Speedway (located less
than 150 miles from LENOX’s home headquarters). This season’s July New
Hampshire event was known as the LENOX Industrial Tools 300.
“Like Richard Childress Racing, LENOX is committed to quality,
innovation, and extreme performance,” said Bill Burke, president of
LENOX. “This sponsorship of the No. 31 team and Jeff Burton is an
exciting step for our company. We look forward to strengthening our
commitment to the sport of auto racing and extending our reach to its
fans.”
LENOX, which will utilize the partnership through marketing and
advertising initiatives, has an extensive product line including the
LENOX Gold™ bi-metal reciprocating saw blades; LENOX Gold™ bi-metal
utility blades and knives; LENOX ARMOR Rx®+ bi-metal coated band saw
blades for cutting structurals and tubing; and the LENOX all-in-one
screwdriver, just to mention a few.
“We’re proud to have LENOX join the RCR family of sponsors and the No.
31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet team with Jeff Burton,” said Richard
Childress, president and CEO of RCR. “Their commitment to producing high
quality saw blades and hand tools carries over to their commitment to
RCR through the many marketing and promotional programs they have
planned. LENOX is a very welcomed addition to the No. 31 team’s
sponsorship group.”
Burton heads into this weekend’s race at Texas Motor Speedway tied for
fourth in the “Chase for the Championship.” Thus far in 2006, he has one
victory (Sept. 24 at Dover), seven top-five and 19 top-10 finishes, and
four pole positions. He has also led nearly 650 laps. The 2006 season
marks his 14th season in NASCAR’s elite division. He’s captured 18
victories and four times has finished in the top five of the final
championship standings. In addition to his Cup success, he has also
garnered 22 wins in NASCAR’s Busch Series, two coming this season.
“I can’t tell the employees of LENOX Industrial Tools how proud I am to
become a part of their team in 2007,” said Burton. “I am going to work
extremely hard to help promote the LENOX brand and to let consumers know
that – just like our race team – LENOX is committed to being the best.
The quality of their products prove that. We still have some unfinished
business in 2006 but this is something I look forward to for 2007.”
About RCR
Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 130
victories and 10 NASCAR championships, including six in the NEXTEL Cup
Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. It was the first organization
to win championships in the NEXTEL Cup Series, Busch Series and Truck
Series. Its 2006 NEXTEL Cup Series lineup includes Clint Bowyer (No. 07
Jack Daniel’s), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 GM Goodwrench/Reese’s) and Jeff
(No. 31 Cingular Wireless). Its Busch Series lineup includes Clint
Bowyer (No. 2 ACDelco), Harvick and Burton (No. 21 Coast Guard) and
Burton (No. 29 Holiday Inn).