Coors to continue with Ganassi/Marlin.

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today [Saturday] that Coors Brewing Company has extended their contract as primary sponsor of the No. 40 Dodge Intrepid R/T driven by Sterling Marlin.

"We are excited to extend our successful partnership with Coors Brewing Company," team owner Chip Ganassi said. "We exist to win races and add value to our sponsors investments. Coors has been a tremendous partner and we're looking forward to winning more races together and working with Coors' employees and wholesaler network."

"Coors Brewing Company has enjoyed a very successful partnership with Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates for many years," said Steve Saunders, director, event marketing at Coors Brewing Company.

"The on-track success of Sterling Marlin has lead to major in-market success for the Coors Light brand. Since Chip Ganassi took over majority ownership last season, the Coors Light Dodge has remained in the top-10 in championship points since the 2001 Daytona 500. That on-track success has significantly impacted our business. We're thrilled to give our fans three more years of the Silver Bullet car and we're excited to be associated with a championship calibre team."

In 2001, Sterling Marlin and the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Coors Light Dodge team scored Dodge's first victory in its return to Winston Cup racing when he won at Michigan International Speedway in August. Marlin scored another victory at Lowe's Motor Speedway and had 12 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes, as he tied a career-best third place finish in Winston Cup Championship points.

This season, Marlin ranks first in driver points through 20 races, he has two wins, and has earned seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. He is the only driver to remain in the top-10 in Winston Cup championship points since the 2001 Daytona 500.

"I've had a great relationship with the folks at Coors since day one," Sterling Marlin said. "They give us great support and we're glad to continue that relationship."

Coors Brewing Company has been a NASCAR sponsor for 20 years. The company first began their NASCAR sponsorship in 1983 with driver Bill Elliott and the late Harry Melling. Following nine years in the sport including a partnership with Roush Racing, Coors Brewing Company joined forces with Team SABCO and driver Kyle Petty in 1994.

Since the transition from Team SABCO to Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, the Coors Light Dodge is the only team to remain in the top-10 in Winston Cup Championship points from the 2001 Daytona 500 to today. Current driver, Sterling Marlin, has been associated with Coors Brewing Company since 1998.