Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America (“ARCA”), Rheem Manufacturing Company, and Menards have announced that the world’s largest manufacturer of water heating, HVAC, refrigeration, and pool heating products would become an official partner and special awards sponsor of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards beginning in 2019.
The announcement includes the news that the global water heating leader’s Richmond brand would become the naming rights sponsor of ARCA’s “Halfway Lap Leader Award” including contributing to the series overall points fund.
“Richmond water heaters and Menards have a longstanding partnership that has brought our customers superior products at a great value for many years. Now Richmond is very pleased to extend our partnership with Menards through the ARCA Racing Series,” said Chris Peel, Rheem President & CEO. “Richmond is also happy to add another new, exciting feature to every ARCA race by introducing the ‘Halfway Lap Leader Award’ in 2019. We look forward with Menards and ARCA to making this the best season ever.” The Richmond Water Heaters Halfway Lap Leader Award will consist of a $250 per-race award recognizing the driver that leads at the scheduled halfway point in each of the 20 ARCA races in 2019.
The newly announced Menards-Richmond partnership is part of the Menards ARCA Vendor Racing Program, further demonstrating the dedicated commitment to motorsports shared by Menards and Rheem. The Richmond brand ARCA sponsorship includes at-track signage and other promotional assets as well as providing opportunities for Menards plumbing customers to participate in Richmond hospitality events at select ARCA Racing Series races in 2019.
“We have been partners with Richmond Water Heaters in many racing endeavors over the years and are excited that Richmond will also be a sponsor for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards,” said Menards promotions manager Jeff Abbott. “Menards and Richmond share similar passions when it comes to racing and doing business together. We look forward to a great 2019 season.”
The Menards-ARCA marketing partnership dates back to 2009, when Menards partnered with ten-time series champion Frank Kimmel. Menards assumed the Series Presenting Sponsorship role in 2010, and has been a prominent, strategic partner with ARCA for the past 10 years.
“For the past eleven years, Rheem Manufacturing and the Richmond Water Heaters brand have incrementally grown their motorsports presence because they recognize the power and value of connecting at the grassroots level with homeowners who are also racing fans and with Menards plumbing customers,” commented Mark Gundrum VP of Business Development and Corporate Partnerships for ARCA. “This is a huge win for everyone involved, but especially for ARCA race teams, their drivers and racing fans everywhere.”
ARCA PR
