Stewart-Haas Racing announced on Friday that the organization and ExxonMobil have extended their partnership with a multiyear deal. Kevin Harvick will become the lead driver starting next season, with the company appearing on the hoods of all four of the organization’s NASCAR Sprint Cup entries at some point in 2017.
NEWS: SHR & ExxonMobil extend partnership w/ multi-year deal; @KevinHarvick to be lead @Mobil1 driver. M1 hoods on all 4 SHR cars in '17.
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) October 7, 2016
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Stewart-Haas Racing currently fields the entries of Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick. Stewart has announced that he will not drive full time in the series after this season, turning the car over to Clint Bowyer for next season. The corporation will appear as a primary sponsor on each of these entries at some point, as well as being an associate sponsor for the new Xfinity entry with driver Cole Custer.
Stewart has partnered with the company since it joined the organization he also co-owns in 2011. According to a news release, he will remain a “brand ambassador” in his role as a team owner.
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Harvick will start from the pole position in this weekend’s Sprint Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He won the 2014 title and was runner-up last season. Stewart is a three-time Sprint Cup champion.
In other sponsorship news, Martin Truex Jr. will carry a new associate this weekend as Charlotte-based Maaco will appear on the rear quarterpanels. Truex dominated the Charlotte race earlier this season, leading 392 of 400 laps.