NASCAR Cup

Daytona II: Robert Yates Racing preview

M&M'SÂ® Chocolate Candies Celebrates Fourth at July at Daytona NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Drivers Ricky Rudd and David Gilliland Will Both Run M&M'SÂ® Paint Schemes DAYTONA BEACH, FL (July 5, 2007) --- When the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series returns to Daytona ...

Published: Jul 6, 2007, 3:39 PM

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M&M'S® Chocolate Candies Celebrates Fourth at July at Daytona NASCAR NEXTEL Cup
Drivers Ricky Rudd and David Gilliland Will Both Run M&M'S® Paint Schemes

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (July 5, 2007) --- When the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series returns to Daytona International Speedway this weekend, Robert Yates Racing teammates' David Gilliland and Ricky Rudd will celebrate one of America's iconic brands , M&M'S® Chocolate Candies, by running special paint schemes in Saturday's Pepsi 400. Gilliland and Team 38 welcome the return of a fan- favorite paint scheme as the reigning Daytona 500 pole sitter will pilot the M&M'S® Red, White and Blue / Kroger Ford in recognition of the Fourth of July holiday. Rudd will also exchange his SNICKERS® colors to sport the standard M&M'S® scheme, this weekend joined by CVS Pharmacy, on his #88 Ford as the two teams unite under one brand for the race.

"Running the M&M'S® Red, White and Blue scheme this weekend is a great way to help celebrate the Fourth of July," said Gilliland. "I remember watching this race thinking what a cool paint scheme this is, so to be able to be a part of it is really exciting. Obviously, we are looking forward to returning to Daytona after a great run in the Daytona 500 and would love to be in victory lane with M&M'S® and Kroger to celebrate my first Fourth of July weekend in Daytona."

Gilliland and Rudd enjoyed a successful trip to Daytona International Speedway in February as the duo swept the pole and outside pole for the Daytona 500, celebrating an "all-chocolate" front row for Mars US brands M&M'S® and SNICKERS®. Rudd finished 26th in the race after being involved in a late-race accident with Gilliland crossing the finish line in eighth place to clinch his first career top-10.

"It's pretty cool to be able to run the M&M'S® scheme this weekend at Daytona," Rudd said. "The M&M'S® car is one of the most recognizable on the track and a favorite of NASCAR fans. Mars US has so many outstanding brands we are associated with and it's a privilege to celebrate the Fourth of July with one of America's favorite candy brands."

Signing on as a team sponsor over 15 years ago, Mars US has steadily increased their level of participation in America's fastest growing spectator sport. Beginning in 1999, Mars unveiled their trademark brand, M&M'S®, as their on-track focal point serving as a primary sponsor in the sport's premier NEXTEL Cup Series.

In 2006, Mars US announced a partnership National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) making their M&M'S® Chocolate Candies the Official Chocolate of NASCAR. Joining M&M'S® as Official Status partners were Pedigree® as the Official Pet Food of NASCAR and Combos® as the Official Cheese Filled Snack of NASCAR, both of which serve as primary sponsors in selected races in 2007 on the #88 Fusion. This season Mars US celebrated the return of SNICKERS® to the track as primary sponsor of Rudd's Ford, also announcing that Snickers will serve at the Official Chocolate Bar of NASCAR.

About M&M'S®, America's Favorite Candy:
M&M'S®, America's favorite candy, has been producing colourful chocolate fun for Americans since 1941 and is owned by Mars Snackfood US, a division of Mars US, one of the world's leading food manufacturers. There are 10 permanent varieties of M&M'S® Candies, and then Seasonal Candies made for special occasions including Easter, Holiday, Halloween and Valentine's Day. Existing product lines includes: M&M'S® Milk Chocolate Candies, M&M'S® Peanut Chocolate Candies, M&M'S® Almond Chocolate Candies, M&M'S® Peanut Butter Chocolate Candies, M&M'® Chocolate Mini Baking Bits, MY M&M'S® Milk Chocolate Candies and M&M'S® MINIS® Milk Chocolate Candies.

About Mars US:
Mars US is the United States food, snack and pet care operations of Mars, Incorporated, one of the world's leading food manufacturers. With more than $7 billion in annual sales in the U.S., the combined food, snack and pet care segments are a symbol of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Mars US employs more than 9,000 associates in the United States, with 52 facilities nationwide. The company owns some of the world's favorite brands, including M&M'S® Brand, SNICKERS® Brand, UNCLE BEN'S® Brand, PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs, and WHISKAS® Brand Food for Cats.

-credit: ryr/mars

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