• by Tanya Gazdik , August 6, 2018

Several major brands have signed or renewed NASCAR sponsorship deals in recent days.

Nationwide Insurance is expanding its relationship with Hendrick Motorsports by increasing its sponsorship of Alex Bowman and the No. 88 Chevrolet team to 20 races per season in a two-year agreement that lasts through 2020. The announcement also allows Bowman to renew his contract an additional year with the powerhouse team, 12-time NASCAR Cup Series champions.

"We're pleased with Alex's representation of Nationwide — both on and off the track,” says Terrance Williams, chief marketing officer for Nationwide, in a release. Bowman also has embraced Nationwide's philosophy of giving back to the community through his support of Nationwide Children's Hospital, Williams says. 

Nationwide joined the team in 2014 and is still a personal service partner of Dale Earnhardt Jr., whom Bowman replaced. Kendrick Motorsports posted a 60-second video on YouTube detailing the renewal. 

Meanwhile, Smithfield Foods extended its 30-race primary sponsorship of Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 10 Ford driven by Aric Almirola for the 2019 season. 

Global power leader Cummins, Inc. also announced its return to motorsports with Stewart-Haas Racing, with a multiple race sponsorship on the No. 14 Ford driven by Clint Bowyer starting Aug. 18 with the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. 

Cummins has a motorsports lineage dating back to the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911 when company founder Clessie Cummins was on the pit crew of the race-winning Marmon Wasp of driver Ray Harroun, notes Stewart-Haas Racing.