On the heels of report that NASCAR is working on finding a sponsor for Bubba Wallace and Danica Patrick, Richard Petty Motorsport's majority owner Andrew Murstein issued a statement that teased big things are coming.
We have a lot of balls in the air. Richard is a fighter and a winner -- a 200 time winner. I'm confident he and (RPM CEO) Brian Moffitt will be able to come through for the team. We are working closely with NASCAR, our existing sponsors, and new sponsors, When the dust settles, I think out fans will be very happy with the outcome.
For @RPMotorsports fans looking for an update on the team's status for '18, here's a new statement from majority owner Andrew Murstein - pic.twitter.com/fmfyv29n01
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) October 3, 2017
Richard, of course, refers to Richard Petty, and the 200 career wins.
Things seem to be going RPM's way. Today, Sports Business Journal noted that NASCAR is working on finding sponsors for Wallace and Patrick. RPM wants Wallace in the No. 43 next year, and Patrick is looking for a ride elsewhere.
RELATED: NASCAR reportedly helping find sponsorship for Bubba Wallace and Danica Patrick
And, last week, ESPN.com reported Patriotic apparel manufacturer Grunt Style and Richard Petty Motorsports announced a multi-year associate partnership deal. The deal takes effect right away with the company appearing on the #43 Ford at the Chicagoland Speedway Tale of the Turtles 400.
RPM announced the deal on its website.
Grunt Style says its mission is to manufacture the highest quality, most patriotic apparel as well as support the military and country.
Petty said this deal is a great match for the two brands.
"I'm thrilled to join forces with Grunt Style," Richard Petty said in the release. "We meet with a lot of military members at each and every race. It will be great to have a partner that will channel their love for our country into what they wear. We can't wait to have them at the track with us this weekend."
This is the second partnership Grunt Style has in NASCAR. They also partner with Spencer Boyd in the NASCAR XFINITY Series.
It's also welcome news for RPM, which engaged in an ugly war of words after Smithfield took its sponsorship dollars to Stewart-Haas Racing. RPM tore into Smithfield, claiming it had a handshake agreement for continued sponsorship, and Smithfield fired back, accusing RPM of lying about the supposed handshake agreement and criticizing the team's performance.