NASCAR Team RCR Creates Own Vehicle Wraps
WELCOME, NC—The 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing season, scheduled to kick off Feb. 15, at Daytona International Speedway, brings with it some major new developments for Richard Childress Racing (RCR). Those changes include the return of the RCR No. 3 Chevrolet made famous by seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt, the addition of driver Ryan Newman, several new sponsors and a host of new eye-catching vehicle wraps.
To RCR’s new and existing sponsors, all of these developments mean increased interest and excitement, which translates into greater brand exposure to more than 75 million NASCAR fans worldwide. With more Fortune 500 sponsors than any other motor sport, the value and impact of vehicle graphics can’t be underestimated. Attracting the attention of race track fans and TV viewers around the globe is critically important to both sponsors and racing teams.
Where graphics were once painted and sponsor logos added, most NASCAR race cars now feature full printed wraps for a weight advantage and the ability to easily replace graphics between races. Many teams have their own graphics studios staffed by vehicle wrap specialists and equipped with digital printing equipment. The RCR Graphics Center, powered by Roland, employs a staff of five, as well as five Roland wide-format digital printers.
“Creating wraps that call out to the fans and effectively represent the brands that support RCR, including new sponsors Dow, Quicken Loans and Yuengling Light Lager, is a key factor to our team’s overall success,” said RCR Graphics by Roland manager Nick Woodward. “All the exciting changes taking place this year means there will be even more eyes than usual focused on our cars.”
The return of the No. 3 Chevrolet SS, new sponsors coming aboard and NASCAR veteran Newman replacing Jeff Burton to drive the No. 31 Caterpillar car, has generated plenty of work for Woodward and his crew. “We’ve designed, printed and installed all-new wraps for the No.3 Dow/Cheerios car, which will be driven by Austin Dillon, Richard Childress’ grandson, and for our Quicken Loans and Yuengling Light Lager cars,” Woodward added.
This will be the first full season of Sprint Cup Series competition for Dillon, who has enjoyed championship success in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Dillon will also be the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racer to drive a car with No. 3 on its doors since Dale Earnhardt in 2001. According to Woodward, while Dillon’s car will be bringing back No. 3, the new wrap’s design, fonts and color scheme will be different from those used on Earnhardt’s car.
“Millions of fans will be watching the No. 3 car, and all of our race cars, so it’s imperative we get the wraps just right,” Woodward explained. “Everything from matching the corporate sponsor colors exactly to reproducing the slightest details of the company’s logo is essential. Our Roland printers and printer/cutters deliver the speed, precision and vibrant color we need to achieve all of this and more.”