Official Press Release With Breaking News: New Spokes-athlete-lebrity Driver Takes The Mountain Dew® Wheel From Dale Earnhardt Jr.

While I have never actually driven a stock car, I know enough to be dangerous. Now, you may be asking yourself, "Aren't you Danny McBride, the world's funniest actor? What are you doing racing cars?" To which I say, "Pfft. I'm Dewey Ryder, the rightful heir to this throne."

This is surely a bittersweet announcement for some of you. Dale Jr. and Mountain Dew have been partners since 2008. Dale Jr. is super popular and everyone says he's a swell guy. But every time a stock car door closes, another stock car door opens [editor's correction: stock cars do not have doors] and I'm here to pick up the mantle.

For the future generations, I videotaped the passing of the torch moment and it's on the interweb right now. It's a real tear jerker. While this was completely 100 percent my idea, I am supposed to mention it was in collaboration with the ad nerds at BBDO. You can witness the momentous occasion here – https://youtu.be/EytupLARjbI – and on NBCSN Sunday, Oct. 29, during the Martinsville Speedway race. You're welcome.

But don't just take my word for it. When I spoke to my buddy, Dale Jr., he said, and I quote, "My partnership with DEW goes back almost a decade and it's been an amazing ride. I knew the guy who'd come after me would be someone special, and Dewey's definitely… well, he's someone."

DEW can back that up too. "Dewey has no racing experience. No training behind the wheel. And, we have no idea how this is going to work out," said Chauncey Hamlett, Senior Director of Marketing, Mtn Dew. "We'll definitely miss seeing Dale Jr. behind the wheel as he starts his retirement, as he is an incredible partner to the brand. Dewey Ryder brings something we've never seen before, from the way he holds a bottle of DEW to his bold, fun and boundary-pushing style."

There you have it. To recap, Dale Jr. is retiring and I'm the new model – the upgrade – if you will.

Stay tuned. Down the road there will be more Dewey for many moons to come. To join the conversation, just follow @MountainDew on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat and use the hashtag #DeweyRyder.

For more information, have your people call the DEW people. Dewey out.

Kristen Mueller
Mountain Dew
[email protected]
914.767.7450

Jack Barbour
[email protected]
914.462.1244

About Mountain Dew

Mountain Dew, a product of PepsiCo Americas Beverages, is the No. 1 flavored carbonated soft drink in the U.S. With its one-of-a-kind citrus taste, Mountain Dew exhilarates and quenches with every sip. In addition to original Mountain Dew® and Diet Mountain Dew®, the permanent DEW product line includes Mountain Dew Code Red®, Mountain Dew LiveWire®, Mountain Dew Throwback®, Mountain Dew Pitch Black™, Mountain Dew Voltage®, Mountain Dew White Out® and Mountain Dew Kickstart™. 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 one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated approximately $63 billion in net revenue in 2016, 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 is what enables PepsiCo to run a successful global company that creates long-term value for society and our shareholders. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

SOURCE Mountain Dew