Preston, Wash.-based Talking Rain Beverage Co., the maker of Sparkling Ice flavored sparkling waters, announced the brand’s sponsorship of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Top Fuel Dragster driven by Leah Pritchett.
The year-long agreement between Sparkling Ice and Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) driver Pritchett was officially announced at this weekend’s 34th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals and will continue throughout the remainder of 2018 with Sparkling Ice as the exclusive sponsor in the sparkling water category, the company says.
As part of the sponsorship, Sparkling Ice branding will be present on Pritchett’s Top Fuel Dragster, fire suit and crew shirts during each NHRA race during the 2018 season. Other elements of the sponsorship include VIP meet-and-greets with Pritchett, product sampling on-site for the team and hospitality guests, cross promotion on social media, branded swag, customer marketing programming and more, the company says.
“We are excited to partner with DSR driver, Leah Pritchett, who recently closed out her impressive 2017 season with four NHRA event titles,” said Chris Hall, chief operating officer of Talking Rain Beverage Co., in a statement. “At Sparkling Ice, we were immediately inspired by Leah’s career, especially as a woman making waves in such a male-dominated field. We’re always looking to partner with authentic fans of the brand that embody our personality and characteristics.”
Lightly carbonated Sparkling Ice offers bold-flavored beverages made with zero sugar, real-fruit flavor, vitamins and antioxidants that appeal to all age groups, the company says. The sponsorship is another chapter in the brand’s history of partnering with stand-out athletes and personalities who are bold, passionate and brand aligned, it says.
At 29 years old, Pritchett’s tenure with DSR began during the 2016 NHRA season. Now, with five event titles, three runner-up finishes, seven No. 1 qualifiers and multiple track records on Pritchett’s 96-race Top Fuel resumé, she is expecting to have an even more successful 2018 season, with Sparkling Ice present both on and off the track., the company says
“I’m delighted to have Sparkling Ice as my exclusive sparkling water sponsor,” Pritchett said in a statement. “The brand’s unique personality and bold flavors captured my attention (oh hey, Cherry Limeade!), and I couldn’t imagine a better partner to rev up my team and I as we begin our 2018 season together. I’m excited for what’s to come this season, and thrilled to have Sparkling Ice by my side.”
