PEORIA, Ill. — Caterpillar Inc. and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) have agreed to a multi-year partnership for the No. 31 Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton beginning with the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
Burton, a 20-time winner in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition, is currently second in the 2008 point standings with one victory, four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in the season’s first 15 races.  The No. 31 team has made the “Chase for the Championship” the past two seasons, finishing seventh in 2006 and eighth last year.
“To represent a well-known global brand like Caterpillar is an honor,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. “Cat products have played a big part over the decades in construction projects at RCR, Childress Vineyards and Yadkin River Angus. Jeff and I look forward to meeting the Cat dealers and customers who loyally follow NASCAR racing.”
The 2009 season will mark Caterpillar’s 17th year of sponsorship in NASCAR.  It will also be Richard Childress’ 40th anniversary in the sport.
Burton's sponsorship with AT&T, formerly Cingular Wireless, was forced to come to an end after this season as part of a settlement with NASCAR, which does not allow competing phone companies sponsorship opportunities in the Sprint Cup Series.
Caterpillar comes to RCR after 10 years with Bill Davis Racing as sponsor of the No. 22, which is now driven by Dave Blaney. Burton's brother, Ward Burton, won the Daytona 500 in the Caterpillar-sponsored No. 22.
“Caterpillar and Bill Davis Racing have enjoyed a long and successful partnership throughout the last 10 seasons, and we are proud of everything we’ve accomplished together, including wins in both the Daytona 500 and Southern 500,” said team owner Bill Davis in a release. “This is an exciting time for our team, and we are looking forward to the future.”
Davis made no mention of the No. 22's future sponsorship, but said an announcement concerning its No. 23, which is now idle, for the 2008 season will be forthcoming.
RCR has earned 11 NASCAR championships, including six in the Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt, four in the Nationwide Series and one in the Truck Series. Burton is second in NASCAR's championship standings.
“Success in the highly competitive environment of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series requires substantially greater levels of technology and investment than even a few years ago,” said Jim Parker, vice president of Caterpillar’s North American Commercial Division. “Joining Richard Childress and his team matches two organizations that share common values, as well as high levels of success. I'm confident this new partnership will excite Caterpillar's customers, dealers and employees."