By Toby Christie, NASCAR Editor
Chase Elliott is entering his rookie campaign in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this season, and he will do it with tons of sponsorship backing.
We already knew that NAPA Auto Parts would be on board the No. 24 Chevrolet SS for 24 races. Additionally Elliott had deals in place with 3M, Kelley Blue Book and Mountain Dew, but there were still four races that the No. 24 team needed to fill sponsorship-wise for this season.
Wednesday we found out through a Hendrick Motorsports team release that SunEnergy1 will step up to put their name on the 200 mile per hour billboard for those races.
SunEnergy1’s founder and CEO is Kenny Habul, who has driven in the NASCAR XFINITY Series in recent years, and he also frequents the sports car ranks.
“We at SunEnergy1 are more than thrilled to be joining Hendrick Motorsports for several years,” said Habul in a team release. “It is a privilege to be on the No. 24 Chevrolet and support a driver like Chase Elliott, one of NASCAR’s rising stars. The Hendrick Motorsports family is a symbol of excellence and integrity. There is no better fit for SunEnergy1 in the sport.”
The deal will make SunEnergy1 a primary and associate level sponsor of Elliott’s No. 24 car for the next three years. This year SunEnergy1 will be the primary sponsor at Daytona in July, Watkins Glen, Kansas and the fall race in Phoenix.
If you’re wondering SunEnergy1 is a company that provides solar energy solutions for commercial locations primarily in the Carolinas and Virginia.
“SunEnergy1 is on the cutting edge of the renewable energy industry,” said Elliott. “In the XFINITY Series, I raced against Kenny on the road courses. He’s a great competitor, and it will be fun to build this relationship with him and SunEnergy1. I’m looking forward to having them as a partner, and our whole team is focused on making the program a success.”
Elliott was the 2014 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion, and he has won a total of five races between the XFINITY and Camping World Truck series. In five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts last season, Elliott recorded a best finish of 16th at the spring Richmond race.
Image: NASCAR Media Group
