Caterpillar, a corporation that designs, develops, engineers, manufactures, markets, and sells machinery, will leave NASCAR following a 25-year commitment to the sport that dates back to 1996.
Caterpillar started its NASCAR sponsorship program with drivers David Green and Todd Bodine in 1996 and 1997 for NASCAR owner Buz McCall racing the No. 96 Chevrolet on a part-time basis.
The team found some success, and in 1998 the Buz McCall team renumbered to the No. 95 for drivers Mike Bliss, Ron Fellows, Robby Gordon, Steve Grissom, David Green, Kevin Lapage, Ted Musgrave, and Hut Stricklen, who all drove the famous yellow and black colors.
In 1999, Caterpillar moved to Bill Davis Racing with driver Ward Burton following the closing of Buz McCall’s race team. The team found great success, winning several races, including the 2002 Daytona 500.
Caterpillar stayed with Bill Davis Racing through the 2008 season with drivers Ward Burton, Scott Wimmer, and Dave Blaney.
In 2009 Caterpillar joined Richard Childress Racing with driver Jeff Burton for five years, then teamed up with Ryan Newman at Richard Childress Racing until 2020 in the No. 31 Chevrolet. RCR changed numbers to No. 8 with drivers Daniel Hemric and, most recently, with driver Tyler Reddick.
Caterpillar has had lackluster results towards the end of their Bill Davis Racing relationship and at Richard Childress Racing. The sponsor’s last trip to victory lane was at Richmond Raceway in 2002 with driver Ward Burton.
This past week Richard Childress mentioned in an interview at Daytona International Speedway that Caterpillar will not be a major sponsor on any RCR cars in 2022 and all logos and branding have been removed from the team’s website and race cars.
Tyler Reddick sported the Caterpillar colors for five races in 2021.
