Panasonic to back Marlin Chevrolet.

Ginn Racing has revealed that Panasonic Broadcast will act as primary sponsor on Sterling Marlin's #14 Chevrolet at twelve of the year's Nextel Cup races.

The brand, which joins Marlin's existing backer Waste Management on the roster, will also appear as a major associate backer for the other 24 'regular season' events. Waste Management currently occupies primary billing for twelve events.

"To finalise a sponsorship package is always an accomplishment, but to finalise it with an outstanding and high-profiled company such as Panasonic makes it even better," team owner Bobby Ginn admitted, "As part of the Ginn Racing commitment, we not only want to lead on the track, but we also want to be a leader with our sponsors and make sure they are getting a valuable return on their investment. We look forward to our new partnership with Panasonic and welcome them to the Ginn family of sponsors."

Two-time Daytona 500 winner Marlin is moving into his second season with the recently re-branded Ginn Racing operation, which grew out of the MB2 team following Bobby Ginn's buy-out of the previous owners.

"It's always a great feeling to have a new sponsor come on board," Marlin, one of only three back-to-back Daytona winners, said, "And when it's a first-class company such as Panasonic it adds to the excitement. I look forward to working with the folks at Panasonic and its motorsports marketing programmes."

The two other Ginn entries will be piloted by the combination of veteran Mark Martin and rookie Regan Smith and another MB2 regular Joe Nemechek. The Martin/Smith pairing takes over the #01 US Army car previously piloted by Nemechek, who moves to the as yet unsponsored #13 Chevy.