The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) will have major presence during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, returning as primary sponsor of JTG Daugherty Racing’s No. 47 Toyota Camry with 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte.
“We are pleased to have Kroger helping us kick off our season at Daytona again,” Labonte said. “They are a great partner of JTG Daugherty Racing. They enjoyed the race last year and we were in the hunt for the win. We were able to stay out of trouble to be in contention on the final lap. If we can be that fortunate this year and put ourselves in position again, anything can happen.”
Once again, the Kroger car will carry the USO logo in The Great American Race on Sunday, February 26. In 2011, the Kroger family of stores expanded its partnership with the USO through Honoring Our Heroes, a year-long campaign to support members of the armed forces and their families. With the help of customers, associates and key partners, the program generated $1.5 million to assist the USO’s programs to support troops and families. Kroger will present these funds to the USO during the pre-race ceremonies at the Daytona 500.
This company-wide campaign with the USO will continue in 2012. The USO is the nation’s leading organization providing morale-boosting programs and services to enhance the quality of life for troops and their families around the world.
“Kroger really does a nice job with the USO program,” Labonte said. “They are donating over one million dollars to the USO. That’s amazing.”
Kroger and JTG Daugherty Racing also will thank the hundreds of Kroger associates from across the country, who are active duty and reservist members of our armed forces. They are paying special tribute by placing the names of these men and women on the hood of the car for the Daytona 500.
JTG
