On Wednesday, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) proclaimed that AT&T will be replaced by Caterpillar as the primary sponsor of the No. 31 Chevrolet Impala in 2009.

After a legal skirmish involving AT&T and Sprint, AT&T and NASCAR agreed - at the end of last year - that AT&T would forfeit their sponsorship at the end of the 2008 season.

Jim Parker, vice president of Caterpillar's North American Commercial Division looks forward to appearing on the No. 31 Impala next year.

"Success in the highly competitive environment of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series requires substantially greater levels of technology and investment than even a few years ago," Parker said. "Joining Richard Childress and his team matches two organizations that share common values, as well as high levels of success. I'm confident this new partnership will excite Caterpillar's customers, dealers and employees."

Presently, Caterpillar sponsors Bill Davis Racing’s No. 22 Toyota Camry driven by Dave Blaney.

Caterpillar has been on the No. 22 car since 1999, and the 2002 Daytona 500 is included in Caterpillar’s short list of wins with Bill Davis Racing – four to be exact.

"Caterpillar and Bill Davis Racing have enjoyed a long and successful partnership throughout the last 10 seasons, and we are proud of everything we've accomplished together, including wins in both the Daytona 500 and Southern 500," Bill Davis, owner of Bill Davis Racing stated. "This is an exciting time for our team, and we are looking forward to the future."

RCR owner, Richard Childress, validated that Caterpillar has contributed a lot of help to RCR in the past, "CAT products have played a big part over the decades in construction projects at RCR, Childress Vineyards and Yadkin River Angus."

Childress is enthusiastic about Caterpillar’s association with RCR.

"To represent a well-known global brand like Caterpillar is an honor,Childress announced. “Jeff and I look forward to meeting the Cat dealerand customers who loyally follow NASCAR racing."