Nationwide Is On His Side

It may be a little early to talk about 2015, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed some good news on Friday morning.

Nationwide Insurance will partner with NASCAR’s most popular driver at Hendrick Motorsports for 12 races in 2015. The Columbus, Ohio-based company has signed a three-year agreement with HMS, increasing their presence to 13 races for 2016 and 2017, respectively.

“We are really excited to be able to announce the sponsorship with Nationwide as it continues to grow,” said Earnhardt Jr. “We have had a relationship with them for a very long time. It’s been successful on both sides. I’m really thrilled to be able to go to the next level with them and allow Hendrick Motorsports to be part of that. It’s a great fit. We’ve had a lot of fun together and I’m excited to be able to continue that relationship. I can’t imagine a better scenario and I think Nationwide is very excited to get going and start working together in the Cup series. Our current partners National Guard and Diet Mountain Dew are very excited about it as well to have them in the fold.”

Nationwide will exit its role as entitlement of NASCAR’s second-tier national touring division, currently the NASCAR Nationwide Series, at the conclusion of the 2014 season. It will close a seven year relationship that launched in 2008.

Earnhardt Jr. made the announcement by video through his Twitter account @DaleJr.