DARLINGTON, S.C. — Roush Fenway Racing will retain Fifth Third Bank’s primary sponsorship of Ricky Stenhouse Jr.‘s No. 17 Ford in a multiyear deal.
Fifth Third Bank has sponsored five races annually with Stenhouse since the 2014 season. It joined the team in 2012.
In a news conference announcing the deal Sunday afternoon at Darlington Raceway before the Southern 500, Tom Heiks, group regional president for Fifth Third Bank, said Stenhouse’s two victories this season weren’t a factor in its decision.
“We enjoy seeing Ricky do well and seeing the team do well,” Heiks said. “We spend a lot of time with these guys and know how hard they work (and) how tenacious they are. These guys deliver success, but but they always are there for us.”
Team president Steve Newmark said Roush Fenway had been able to renew eight or nine companies whose contracts were up in the past two years.
“You try to align with partners that stick with you through ups and down,” Newmark said. “This is validation of that, though you’re always hungry for more. The sport works for a lot of our partners because of the NASCAR fan base.”
Here’s the release from the team:
CINCINNATI – Fifth Third Bank (NASDAQ: FITB) has renewed its relationship with Roush Fenway Racing as primary sponsor on the No. 17 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Ford with driver Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. in a multiyear deal.
“I’m so appreciative to continue racing with Fifth Third Bank on the car. It’s great to have partners who believe in the sport and are committed long-term to supporting the business of racing,” said Stenhouse.
Fifth Third Bank came onboard with Roush Fenway Racing in 2012 and has served as a primary sponsor on the No. 17 Ford for the past six seasons.
“We’re excited to extend our relationship with Roush Fenway Racing and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.,” said Matt Jauchius, chief marketing officer for Fifth Third Bank. “To hear Ricky exclaim our tagline, ‘that’s Banking a Fifth Third Better, boys’ when he captured his first victory this season was incredible. We’re banking on another successful run with him behind the wheel.”
Stenhouse captured his first two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series wins while sporting the Fifth Third colors during the 2017 season. He will make his 173rd career Monster Energy Cup Series start at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina on September 3, where the No. 17 Fifth Third Ford will feature a throwback paint scheme inspired by a Darrell Waltrip 1997 paint scheme.
“The Roush team has been an outstanding partner for the past six seasons, and this goes beyond the race track. With their help, we’ve become the preferred bank of the motorsports industry, providing strategic financial advice and services to teams, tracks, drivers, suppliers and corporate sponsors,” remarked Tom Heiks, Group Regional President for Fifth Third Bank.
The Bank is actively involved within the racing industry, serving on the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) board, sponsoring the NCMA Industry Tribute Awards Banquet and exhibiting at the Performance Racing Industry Tradeshow. Fifth Third also supports numerous motorsports charities including the NASCAR Foundation, Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, Speedway Children’s Charities, B.R.A.K.E.S. and Motor Racing Outreach.
“It’s a privilege to continue our relationship with Fifth Third Bank,” said Steve Newmark, president of Roush Fenway Racing. “There are few sponsors in NASCAR who have as deep of an understanding of the industry and whose primary objective is to serve the wellbeing of businesses and individuals in the sport.”
In addition to its partnership with Roush Fenway Racing, Fifth Third Bank is the Official Bank of Daytona International Speedway and the Daytona 500, and a partner with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the IndyCar series.
