3M Leaving Greg Biffle to Sponsor Jeff Gordon in 2015


3M is switching teams. The longtime sponsor of Greg Biffle’s No. 16 Ford will become a primary sponsor of four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet starting in 2015, Hendrick Motorsports announced Tuesday.

The company signed a three-year deal to serve as Gordon’s primary sponsor for 11 Sprint Cup races each year and an associate sponsor in other events.

Tuesday’s announcement comes after the AARP Drive to End Hunger program last week renewed its sponsorship of Gordon, 43, for the 2015 season. The social campaign will serve as primary sponsor for 13 races next year, down from 22 this season.

All five of 3M’s business units will be involved in the sponsorship deal, according to a team release. The company has been an official NASCAR partner in several categories since 1995.

“At 3M, we play to win, and we push hard every day to do just that,” said Jesse Singh, senior vice president of 3M Global Sales and Marketing, in the release. “With this deal, we align with champion driver Jeff Gordon and an organization at the top of its game in Hendrick Motorsports. What they do in the garage and on the track exemplifies what we’re all about in our labs, plants and business teams around the world.”

Gordon has two wins this season and sits second in the points standings.

“Innovation is what 3M is known for,” Gordon said in the release. “We’ve seen that approach throughout their involvement in NASCAR, and it’s a terrific fit for what we do at Hendrick Motorsports and with the No. 24 team. I’m personally excited about the opportunities and thrilled to represent a company that’s so passionately supported auto racing for such a long time.”

3M’s decision to move to Hendrick Motorsports will end a 10-year partnership with Roush Fenway Racing. The company has been Biffle’s primary sponsor since 2007. The 44-year-old driver recently signed a three-year contract extension with Roush Fenway Racing.

Biffle is winless so far this season and sits 12th in the driver standings.

Biffle took to his Twitter account Tuesday afternoon to thank 3M for their backing.

 "Would like to thank 3M & employees for there 10yr run.. I made a lot of friendships there over the years and that means a great deal to me," he tweeted.

The absence of 3M leaves Roush Fenway Racing searching for sponsorship for the No. 16 Ford for next year. Biffle addressed the sponsor situation on Twitter, saying his team would announce their new sponsor in the coming weeks.

"I am excited to announce our new sponsor in a few weeks!!! Wish we could do it now but you know how contracts are!!!" he said.

3M Leaving Greg Biffle to Sponsor Jeff Gordon in 2015 3M Leaving Greg Biffle to Sponsor Jeff Gordon in 2015 Reviewed by Rebecca Kivak on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 Rating: 5