Smithfield and Eckrich to Sponsor Almirola in Charity Events in 2012

Aric Almirola, Smithfield/Helping Hungry Homes® and Eckrich announced today that they will team up to race for charity.  Almirola and Smithfield will compete this Thursday night in the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at the Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.  The event is a 100-lap asphalt late model all-star race that will help raise awareness and funding for the specific needs of individuals afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis as well as other programs that support chronically ill children.  The race is sanctioned by NASCAR.

Almirola will also compete in the Prelude to The Dream dirt late model event hosted by Tony Stewart at the famed Eldora Speedway dirt track located in Ohio on Wednesday, June 6th.  Eckrich will adorn Almirola’s No. 43 dirt late model for the special that is televised live by HBO Pay-Per-View.  The “Prelude” has grown to become one of the most seriously-challenged charity events motorsports stars compete in all year.  The race benefits Feed The Children.

“Both of these charity events are important, because we’re raising monies for great causes,” said Almirola.  “There may not be as much pressure as a NASCAR Sprint Cup race, but there sure is a lot of pride in running well and being the guy to help present the check to the charity.  I’d love to win both events for Smithfield and Eckrich.  Both companies always give back to the community and this is my chance to help them do more.”

Both Smithfield and Eckrich are in their first season as primary sponsors of Almirola and the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports team.  They have now taken this next step to be more involved with Almirola and the charitable events of NASCAR.

“These two charitable events align with our philosophy of giving back,” said Will Brunt, Vice President of Marketing of Smithfield.  “Having the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown in Virginia, our backyard, we felt this was a great opportunity to partner with Aric and race for a good cause.”

Eckrich, who will sponsor Almirola in three NASCAR Sprint Cup races later this summer, also feels this is a way to help give back.

“Helping charities and the community is something we have always believed in,” said Chuck Gitkin, Vice President Marketing, Innovation, and R&D, The John Morrell Food Group.  “We’re proud to partner with Aric in one of the premier charitable events in the sport.”

Almirola will race with different race teams for the events, but will still adorn the familiar Petty No. 43 on the sides of each car.

RPM PR