Petty Driving Experience, NASCAR formalize deal

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR and Richard Petty Driving Experience have reached a multi-year licensing agreement, formalizing a relationship that began 15 years ago with the initial development of RPDE.

While Richard Petty and NASCAR remain synonymous, this agreement formalizes a relationship that began more than 50 years ago when the Petty family first joined the sport. This new licensing agreement will allow Richard Petty Driving Experience to better align its business with NASCAR, its sponsors, business partners and 75 million fans.

"We formed the Driving Experience to let race fans see what professional drivers see on the track every weekend and get a feel for what the guys go through every week behind the wheel. At the same time we also do a good job of recreating the sights and sounds that make NASCAR the most exciting sport in the world," said Richard Petty, seven-time Cup Series champion. "By making our long relationship with NASCAR official, we hope to reach more race fans while also exposing the sport to thousands of others in an attempt to help grow the sport for years to come."

Each year more than 130,000 race fans and enthusiasts feel the power of NASCAR through RPDE when they drive or ride along at their favorite racetrack. The relationship between the two organizations will continue to give fans the opportunity to touch and feel the sport in a way no other professional sports entity offers. Richard Petty Driving Experience, through its licensing agreement with NASCAR, will become a greater brand extension of the sport by continuing to provide authentic NASCAR riding and driving experiences.

"There are two great must-do experiences in our sport," said Mark Dyer, NASCAR's vice president of licensing and consumer products. "First, of course, is going to a NASCAR race. Second is experiencing what it's like to drive an authentic NASCAR Nextel Cup racecar.

"The Richard Petty Driving Experience makes this unforgettable experience happen for thousands of people every year, and NASCAR is proud to be associated with this first-class organization."