Kyle Busch comments as the long running NASCAR sponsor plans to exit the sport
Mars Incorporated is a 110-year old company based in Virginia. They had revenue of $37 billion in 2020, one of the largest privately-owned companies in the world.
Hear from driver Kyle Busch and team owner Joe Gibbs below.
The producers of M&M’s, Skittles, Snickers, Wrigley and many more has been deeply embedded into the career of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch. However, their NASCAR venture began well before that.
The maker of popular candies first joined NASCAR in 1998. Ernie Irvan drove an M&M’s sponsored machine during the 1998 season.
In 2008, M&M’s appeared on Kyle Busch’s debut season with Joe Gibbs Racing. They have remained a partner for the last 14 years.
2022, will be the 15th year of the NASCAR team partnership. It will also be the last…
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Joe Gibbs Racing comments
Dave Alpern, president of JGR told Adam Stern, “I hope in 2022 we can focus on thanking [Mars], and we’ll be really excited to announce who will be on our car with Interstate [Batteries] in 2023.”
Alpen added, “If you had told me in ’07, when we started talking to them for the ’08 season, that they’ll be a 15-year primary sponsor … we all would have taken it and run with it.”
Joe Gibbs is the owner of the North Carolina based team.
“One of the great things I love about NASCAR is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships,” Joe Gibbs stated.
“Mars has been a tremendous example of that. We have experienced so much together over the past 15 years, including two Cup Series championships, while developing friendships that will extend well beyond next year.”
The team owner concluded, “I know everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing feels that way and I’m glad we have the 2022 season to celebrate Mars and the contributions they have made to our sport over the past three decades.”
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Kyle Busch comments on MARS Incorporated departure
Kyle Busch is set to enter his 20th year in the NASCAR Cup Series. 18 of those have been in a full-time ride.
Busch commented via twitter, “My appreciation for the entire Mars family is eternal. With 55 wins & 2 Cup titles together, we’ve built friendships that will last way past 2022. The Mars family has always accepted me for who I am and I’ll always be thankful for that. Here’s to many more trips to VL in ‘22!”
He added in a separate statement, “I have been incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Mars for nearly 15 years now.”
“During this time, Mars Associates have been like family to myself, Samantha, and Brexton. In particular, my friendship with the Mars Family will be something that will last a lifetime. We have a relationship so much deeper than just having the honor of driving their colorful cars.”
“I’m also proud that we’ve been able to bring them to victory lane 55 times in the Cup Series, including two Cup Series championships.”
Busch added. “I know our 18 team will work as hard as ever to bring them to victory lane as many times as we can in 2022 and hopefully even another championship we can celebrate together.”
The 36-year-old sits 9th on the all-time NASCAR wins list. He’s collected 59 NASCAR Cup Series victories, the highest among active drivers.
Busch is a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion driver, most recently in 2019.
The driver is secured through the 2023 season with Joe Gibbs Racing.
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