Rheem Manufacturing Company, a global manufacturer of quality heating, cooling, and water heating products, announced today its sponsorship of the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) No. 29 car for the 36-race NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season.  Rheem will be featured prominently on the lower rear quarter panels of RCR’s No. 29 car driven by Kevin Harvick, 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Champion and major Cup Series contender.  Rheem becomes the major associate sponsor of the car, while Shell is the primary sponsor.  The new Rheem-RCR relationship takes to the track for the NEXTEL Cup Series opener at the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18.

“Our entry into major motorsports sponsorship through this exciting new sponsorship with Richard Childress Racing marks the beginning of a new era for Rheem Manufacturing,” said Rheem Manufacturing Company CEO Stewart Farwell.  “Rheem shares many of the same traits as RCR and Kevin Harvick: a rich history of leadership, constant innovation, and an intense passion to be the best and win.  Partnering with these proven winners provides Rheem with numerous business opportunities, and enables us to further expand our brand presence among the 75 million fans who are fiercely loyal to the companies and brands who sponsor and promote the racing teams, owners and drivers who fill their lives with excitement and fun throughout the year.”

 “All of us at Richard Childress Racing could not be happier and more proud to start our new association with Rheem in 2007,” said Richard Childress, President and CEO of Richard Childress Racing.  “The longstanding Rheem reputation for innovative, high quality products is in line with our values and objectives at RCR.  Rheem brings a new energy to RCR and we’re excited about the possibilities that come with the start of the 2007 season.”

According to Rheem President J.R. Jones, Rheem will fully leverage its sponsorship through numerous business-driving initiatives, with a main emphasis on reward, recognition, and new business development programs for heating, cooling and plumbing distributors and contractors.  Jones said, “Rheem has a customer-focused culture.  Hosting key customers and other special guests at all 36 NEXTEL Cup Series races this season is a natural for us, and provides Rheem an attractive platform to initiate and strengthen key business relationships.”

   “Besides being the largest spectator sport in North America with a broad fan demographic, NEXTEL Cup Series racing is the number one pastime among heating, cooling, and plumbing customers,” said Jones.  “We’re excited and enthusiastic about the business possibilities this new sponsorship affords us.”

 “I’m excited to be associated with a sponsor that is known around the globe as a top-rate company with high quality products, a determination to continuously improve, and a drive to compete to win,” said Harvick.  “As a driver, I’m looking forward to representing Rheem, all their associates, and the customers who buy and rely on their products.”

In addition to a fully-integrated sales and marketing communications program that will be rolled out throughout the year, Jones says Rheem will also explore new business and marketing relationships with other motorsports sponsors. 

About Rheem Manufacturing Company
Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is a privately held company with headquarters in Atlanta, Ga.  In its 80th year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of high-quality residential and commercial heating, cooling, water heaters, swimming pool heaters and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets.  The premium brands of Rheem Manufacturing Company include Ruud, Raypak and Rheem.  Rheem Manufacturing Company is also the major associate sponsor of Richard Childress Racing and the No. 29 team driven by Kevin Harvick, 2006 Busch Series Champion.

About Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 150 victories and 10 NASCAR championships, including six in the NEXTEL Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. It was the first organization to win championships in the NEXTEL Cup Series, Busch Series and Truck Series. Its 2007 NEXTEL Cup Series lineup includes Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel’s), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 Cingular Wireless). Its Busch Series lineup includes Clint Bowyer (No. 2 BB&T), Harvick and Timothy Peters (No. 21 AutoZone) and Burton and Scott Wimmer (No. 29 Holiday Inn).