Thrivent Financial Joins LFR as Primary Sponsor of the No. 95

Not only is it one of the most anticipated races of the season for NASCAR race fans, but Leavine Family Racing and Michael McDowell, driver of the No. 95 Thrivent Financial Ford Fusion, are also eager to return to Bristol Motor Speedway for the IRWIN Tools Night Race this Saturday, Aug. 23.

McDowell and the No. 95 team had a very strong run during the spring Bristol race that ended abruptly in an accident.  After two rain delay periods, McDowell had climbed his way up to the Top-15 when an on-track accident occurred causing heavy damage to the No. 95 and relegating the team to a 37th place finish.

“We had a great run going towards the end of the spring race at Bristol,” said McDowell.  “The car was running well and we were on the lead lap in the Top-15 when we got caught up in an accident.  We’ve had some great runs this summer and with the continued work of the team and having Thrivent Financial join us this weekend, I’m really looking forward to returning to Bristol and securing a strong finish for our team.”

McDowell’s No. 95 Ford Fusion will have a new paint scheme this weekend – a white and red scheme featuring Thrivent Financial, a new sponsor for LFR and the organization’s first time in NASCAR. Leavine Family Racing recently created a time-lapsed video that documented the transition to the new paint scheme.  Fans can have their pictures taken with the No. 95 Thrivent Financial Ford Fusion at the Food City Race Night on Thursday, August 21.  The car will be on display starting at 1:00 p.m. and McDowell will participate in a driver autograph session from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

A Bristol tradition, drivers get to choose their entrance song for driver introductions during the pre-race ceremony.  In honor of the new sponsorship, McDowell has chosen “Thrive” by Casting Crowns. McDowell will have an extended role in the Bristol Motor Speedway ceremonies and will give the invocation prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

As part of its sponsorship with the team, Thrivent Financial is running a #DrivenToThrive sweepstakes and giving away McDowell’s Thrivent firesuit and pieces of the No. 95 race car to fans who enter to win at www.thrivent.com/driventothrive. For each entry, Thrivent will donate $1 to support wounded veterans through the Operation Heal Our Patriots program.  Thrivent will donate up to $10,000 as part of this initiative and its mission to live life generously.

“The level of involvement that Thrivent Financial has brought to their first sponsorship in NASCAR has been tremendous,” said Jeremy Lange, vice president of marketing and partnerships for Leavine Family Racing.  “We’re excited about the activations they’ve put forth to engage the fans and extend their brand awareness to the NASCAR fan base.  Our organization is proud to have opened that door and excited to be a part of helping the Thrivent team reach a broader group of Christians in the process.” 

Thrivent is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization of Christians, with approximately 2.4 million members and over 100 years of experience.  Thrivent Financial, based in Minneapolis (domiciled in Appleton, Wis.), offers a broad range of products and services – including life insurance, annuities and mutual funds – along with guidance from financial representatives nationwide.

LFR PR