Richmond International Raceway officials announced today that America’s favorite iced tea maker, Lipton Tea, will sponsor the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, May 2, 2008.  The Lipton Tea 250 will feature NASCAR Nationwide Series regulars, as well as many NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars looking for extra track time in the 250-lap event “under the lights” at Richmond International Raceway.

Lipton Tea has a deep-rooted connection to NASCAR. America’s number one iced tea brand has been a part of the Ultimate Chargers campaign through its parent company, Unilever, for more than five years of NASCAR sponsorship. Lipton Tea is currently featured with five other brands on the No. 9 Nationwide Series car fielded by Gillett Evernham Motorsports as part of the successful Ultimate Chargers campaign.

Lipton Tea will also be the primary sponsor on the car driven by Kasey Kahne for the Lipton Tea 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway. Lipton has had a long association with NASCAR that reaches back to 1995 when they sponsored the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship winning car driven by Johnny Benson.

“We are excited Lipton is increasing its involvement in the NASCAR Nationwide Series by partnering with Richmond International Raceway for the Lipton Tea 250,” said Doug Fritz, president of Richmond International Raceway. “Having Lipton Tea as a new sponsor of this event and all of its employees from the nearby Suffolk plantwill bring a new level of excitement to the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway for everyone who attends the race and for the millions of fans watching at home.”

The partnership with Richmond International Raceway also highlights Lipton’s commitment to commerce in the state of Virginia. The company has a manufacturing facility in Suffolk, VA, approximately 90 miles southeast of Richmond.

“Lipton Tea’s participation in NASCAR racing, and the Richmond race in particular, is exciting in many ways,” said Christine Durkin, Director, Lipton Tea. “With our roots in the South and in NASCAR, we are so pleased to inaugurate the Lipton Tea 250 in the backyard of our Suffolk, Virginia plant. We are thrilled about this partnership with Richmond International Raceway as the southern United States has played such an important part in making Lipton the number one iced tea in America. Also, the brand is glad to have this ‘vehicle’ to give race fans– both at the track and across the country – the opportunity to learn more about our great line of Lipton Tea products.”

The partnership between Richmond International Raceway and Lipton allows the brand to incorporate its associates into the program as well. More than 400 employees from the Suffolk plant will attend the Lipton Tea 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race on behalf of Lipton. This has increased excitement at the plant which, Durkin says, gives the sponsorship an added benefit.

“Many of our associates love NASCAR racing and this program allows us to recognize all of our proud employees in Suffolk who work hard to make Lipton Tea the great product it is,” added Durkin.

In addition to sponsoring the race, Lipton will be part of Unilever’s six-brand trackside activation campaign located just outside the racetrack. Participating brands include Lipton, Ragu, Wisk, Hellmann’s, Country Crock, and Klondike. There is also a pre-race concert to be held next to the activation site, providing fans an added value for attending the race.

“We want to make this an all-day event,” said Durkin. “We will have a pre-race concert on the midway, so while the fans are enjoying our products they can also enjoy some great music and have a lot of fun.”

The NASCAR doubleheader at America’s Premier Short Track, featuring the Lipton Tea 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race is scheduled for May 2-3. The weekend begins on Friday, May 2, with the Lipton Tea 250, preceded by practice and pole qualifying for the Nationwide Series and practice and Wawa Pole Qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admission sections with a ticketed adult on Friday only. Friday's tickets are $45 (reserved) and $35 (general admission) in advance. Tickets for Saturday’s Crown Royal Presents The Dan Lowry 400 start at $80. Tickets and information are available by calling 866-455-7223 or visiting www.rir.com.

 

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Unilever [NYSE: UL, UN], one of the world’s largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever products.   The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life.

In the United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, “all,” Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever in the United States employs approximately 13,000 people in more than 60 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico – generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2006. For more information, please visit www.unileverusa.com.

 

About Richmond International Raceway

Richmond International Raceway is perhaps the most universally liked racetrack anywhere, as it is a favorite among drivers, fans, NASCAR officials and the media.

Year after year, Richmond International Raceway puts on the best short track show, and arguably some of the best racing in the world.  Its unique, ¾-mile layout produces tremendous side-by-side racing, yet drivers obtain high enough speeds to give it a superspeedway feel.   That rare combination still allows for the beating and banging that fans enjoy, with the drivers’ skill playing a major role in winning.   In the words of NASCAR Cup Series icon Rusty Wallace, those characteristics help make racing at the track and the experience fans have while visiting, simply “perfect.”

In 2007, Richmond International Raceway added nearly 5,000 seats, bringing its total capacity to 112,029.  Additionally, Richmond International Raceway is the only track to hold all of its major events “under the lights.”