Mtn Dew® And Hendrick Motorsports Extend Long-standing Partnership With New Deal

CHASE ELLIOTT TO LEAD DEW® RACING THROUGH 2020

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Jul 11, 2018, 12:24 ET

CONCORD, N.C. and PURCHASE, N.Y., July 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Twelve-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports and Mtn Dew^®have extended their long-standing partnership through 2020. The renewal will see star driver Chase Elliott continue to represent the bold and original Mtn Dew brand.

Beginning in 2018 and continuing throughout the two-year extension, Mtn Dew will be a primary sponsor of Elliott and his No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team for four Cup Series races annually. In addition, Mtn Dew, which has supported Elliott since his 2016 rookie of the year season, will be featured as an associate sponsor of the No. 9 team in all other events.

"Like the Elliott family, Mtn Dew has a tremendous legacy in racing," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "Chase's performance on the track, lifestyle off the track and popularity with the fans make him a perfect fit for the brand. This new agreement will take our association with PepsiCo into our 24^th season together. We're extremely proud of our partnership and look forward to the many great opportunities ahead."

PepsiCo, which has been involved in auto racing since the introduction of NASCAR's premier division in 1949, teamed with Hendrick Motorsports under the Pepsi brand umbrella in 1997 as a sponsor of four-time champion Jeff Gordon. Mtn Dew's history in racing includes the sponsorship of recently-retired Hendrick Motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. from 2008-2017, with the brand also sponsoring NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip's title-winning teams in 1981 and 1982.

"Chase Elliott is becoming one of the biggest superstars in the world of racing, and we're excited to continue to bring his genuine personality to DEW Nation through our partnership with Hendrick Motorsports," said Justin Faiber, sports marketing senior manager, PepsiCo. "We can't think of a better driver to represent the brand's future in the sport than Chase."

Elliott, 22, earned 2016 Cup Series rookie of the year honors and is coming off his second playoff appearance in as many full seasons at NASCAR's top level. In addition to his 2014 Xfinity Series championship, the Dawsonville, Georgia, native has posted seven race wins and 117 top-10 finishes in NASCAR national series competition.

"It means a lot to partner with a brand like Mtn Dew that has such a storied history in racing," Elliott said. "I appreciate everything they've done for the sport, for our team and for me personally. We've been able to do cool things away from the track, from snowboarding in the mountains to riding ATVs in the desert. That aspect of the relationship is really fun, and I'm excited to keep it going for DEW Nation."

In 2018, Elliott's cars have featured Mtn Dew paint schemes at The Clash at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 11, at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 16 and at Michigan International Speedway (in partnership with Little Caesars) on June 10. He is next scheduled to field a Mtn Dew paint scheme on Oct. 21 at Kansas Speedway.

ABOUT MOUNTAIN DEW:
MOUNTAIN DEW®, a product of PepsiCo North America Beverages, is the No. 1 flavored carbonated soft drink in the United States. With its one-of-a-kind citrus taste, MOUNTAIN DEW exhilarates and quenches with every sip. In addition to the original MOUNTAIN DEW and DIET MOUNTAIN DEW®, the permanent DEW® product line includes MTN DEW ICE™, MTN DEW® KICKSTART™, MOUNTAIN DEW CODE RED®, MOUNTAIN DEW PITCH BLACK®, MOUNTAIN DEW VOLTAGE®, MOUNTAIN DEW WHITE OUT® and MTN DEW® Label Series. For more information, check out www.mountaindew.com, www.facebook.com/mountaindew or follow on Twitter @mountaindew.

ABOUT PEPSICO:
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than 1 billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $63 billion in net revenue in 2017, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our fundamental belief that the success of our company is inextricably linked to the sustainability of the world around us. We believe that continuously improving the products we sell, operating responsibly to protect our planet and empowering people around the world enable PepsiCo to run a successful global company that creates long-term value for society and our shareholders. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 249 points-paying race victories and a record 12 car owner championships in the premier NASCAR Cup Series. The organization fields four full-time Chevrolet teams on the Cup circuit with drivers Chase Elliott, William Byron, Jimmie Johnson and Alex Bowman. Headquartered in Concord, North Carolina, Hendrick Motorsports employs more than 600 people. For more information, please visit HendrickMotorsports.com or interact on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA INFORMATION:
Morgan Hollars, Hendrick Motorsports
704-455-3400
mhollars at hmsracing dot com

Simon Landon, Golin for Mtn Dew
312-729-4424
slandon at golin dot com

SOURCE PepsiCo