FS1’s NASCAR Race Hub to Broadcast LIVE from Headquarters of Smithfield Foods, Sponsor of No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Race Team

SMITHFIELD, Va., April 11, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Thursday, April 21^st, Smithfield Foods, sponsor of the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) race team, is bringing the excitement of racing to Smithfield, VA leading up to race weekend at their “home track,” Richmond International Raceway.

FS1’s NASCAR Race Hub program, the most-watched NASCAR news and entertainment show on television, will broadcast LIVE from the Smithfield Foods’ headquarters from 5:00pm – 6:00pm – a first for the popular FOX NASCAR program. “The King” Richard Petty and No. 43 driver Aric Almirola will be onsite to discuss the upcoming race and meet with fans, take photos, and sign autographs.

NASCAR Race Hub host Adam Alexander will be joined on-site by FOX NASCAR analyst and former crew chief Larry McReynolds and reporter Kaitlyn Vince, with host Danielle Trotta and analyst and former crew chief Andy Petree holding down the fort in the Charlotte studio.

Interested race fans are encouraged to attend the NASCAR Race Hub broadcast and enjoy the displays at Smithfield Foods, 200 Commerce Street, Smithfield, VA starting at 5:00pm.

The event will include an amateur bacon eating contest, judged by Petty and Almirola, and feature two of Petty’s most iconic cars on display:

• 1967 Plymouth Belvedere replica, his winningest race car in which he won 27 races in a season including 10 in a row, and the car featured in the upcoming documentary film Building 43
• Plymouth Superbird, his most recognizable race car, which was featured in the 2006 film Cars

The RPM No. 43 Smithfield Ford Fusion, Roush Yates Racing Engines, Ford, and the Richmond International Raceway pace car will also be onsite. Several Smithfield Foods brands will have displays with games and prizes, including the flagship Smithfield brand, Nathan’s Famous, and Eckrich.

“We’re in the fifth year of our partnership with the Smithfield family, and I can tell you that they get as excited about race weekends as we do!” said Almirola. “It’s cool that they are bringing in these fantastic displays and a great show like NASCAR Race Hub to broadcast in their hometown, really allowing fellow employees and local residents to share in the excitement.”

“Over the past five years, we have sought to be seen as part of the fabric of the sport,” said Bob Weber, Smithfield Vice President of Sponsorships. “Being authentic and sharing our unique access to the sport, Aric, and The King has been the hallmark of our partnership. Having FS1 and NASCAR Race Hub at our campus is another extension of our ‘share the access’ approach to the sport.  We look forward to meeting and welcoming everyone to our ‘Racing Party’ this Thursday!”

During the broadcast, Smithfield will announce a 25,000-pound protein donation to FeedMore’s Central Virginia Food Bank that serves the greater Richmond community as part of the company’s Helping Hungry Homes® nationwide hunger-relief tour. This donation, made in partnership with Richmond-area Kroger stores, RPM, and Richmond International Raceway, will provide more than 100,000 servings of protein to families suffering from food insecurity. The donation will be delivered to FeedMore on the morning of Friday, April 22^nd.

“Smithfield came to the table embracing originality,” said Neil Mulcahy, FOX Sports EVP Ad Sales. “I think this is a time of true evolution in sports advertising … while the 30-second spot is still the cornerstone of most campaigns, companies are now looking at creative opportunities to develop content that connects their brand even deeper within the fabric of the sports in which they are investing.”

“One thing that makes Smithfield special as a company is that they are a place, too. When you come here to the town, you can really feel how the company is deeply rooted to its heritage and history here,” said Petty. “That includes lending a hand to your neighbor. We know that many race fans are going to get their favorite Smithfield products at Kroger before setting up their tailgates at the Richmond track on race weekend, and it is especially meaningful to have partners who care about giving back to the communities that support them, and our race team, throughout the year. This significant donation to the FeedMore food bank in Richmond will go a long way to help families in need.”

“As a global food company, it’s our responsibility to do our part to help alleviate hunger,” added Weber. “We’ve made more than 250 donations across the country since founding our Helping Hungry Homes® program in 2008, several of which we made in partnership with Kroger, RPM, and Richmond International Raceway. We’re thrilled to continue this legacy of giving with such incredible partners.”

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook’s®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Nathan’s Famous®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly’s®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

About FOX Sports
FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing 21st Century FOX’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; FS1; FS2; Fox’s 22 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Soccer 2Go; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports. In addition, FOX Sports also encompasses FOX Sports Digital, which includes FOXSports.com, FOX Sports GO, Whatifsports.com and Yardbarker.com. Also included in the Group are FOX’s interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network and BTN 2Go, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network.

About Richard Petty Motorsports
A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneur Andrew Murstein, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with drivers Aric Almirola and Brian Scott. Almirola will return to the iconic No. 43 Ford with partners Smithfield Foods, STP, United States Air Force and the “Fresh From Florida” campaign. Scott will make his debut with the team and drive the Petty Family No. 44 Ford. Albertsons Companies, Shore Lodge, Twisted Tea and GoBowling.com will join Scott as he competes for Rookie of the Year in his first full-time season in the Sprint Cup Series. Richard Petty Motorsports will also field the No. 43 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR XFINITY Series with driver Jeb Burton, who will compete for Rookie of the Year in his first full-time season with partner J. Streicher. The team is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C.

About Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division:
The Mid-Atlantic Division operates 120 stores, 115 pharmacies and 86 fuel centers in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and the eastern portions of Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio.  Headquartered in Roanoke, the Mid-Atlantic Division is dedicated to making a difference in the communities it serves by supporting hunger relief, women’s health, our troops and their families, local schools and grassroots organizations.  Kroger is also a strong supporter of the Salvation Army, American Red Cross and organizations that promote the advancement of women and minorities.  Last year, Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division contributed nearly $13 million to communities served.  For more information, visit www.kroger.com.

ABOUT RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
Richmond International Raceway, known as America’s Premier Short Track, offers some great racing action and a commitment to the fan experience. One of the most popular facilities among drivers and fans in all of motorsports, Richmond International Raceway annually hosts two NASCAR Doubleheader weekends, featuring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series, on a ¾-mile D-Shaped oval. The unique layout traditionally produces exciting side-by-side racing, yet drivers reach high enough speeds for a superspeedway feel.

About FeedMore
FeedMore is Central Virginia’s core hunger-relief organization comprised of programs like the Central Virginia Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, the Mobile Pantry and Kids Cafe. Spanning nearly one-third of the state, across 34 counties and cities, FeedMore serves nearly 200,000 individuals in the region’s most vulnerable populations – children, families and seniors.  Working together to efficiently and effectively fight hunger, FeedMore’s multi-tiered approach and comprehensive programs are dedicated to nourishing the community while empowering lives.  For additional information, please visit FeedMore.org, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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