Nationwide to sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 88 Sprint Cup team

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. will have primary sponsorship from Nationwide Insurance next season, in a three-year contract announced Friday.

Beginning in 2015, Nationwide will provide primary sponsorship on Earnhardt’s No. 88 car in 12 races with an increase to 13 races in 2016 and 2017. Nationwide will be an associate in the other events.

The terms of the deal are estimated at $10 million annually, according to Sports Business Journal.

A Nationwide spokesman since 2009, Earnhardt has been featured in numerous national commercials for the company. Nationwide is ending its tenure as the series sponsor for NASCAR’s No. 2 division at the conclusion of the 2014 season, as well as its four-race sponsorship of Ricky Stenhouse Jr.‘s Sprint Cup team.

“I’ve always enjoyed working with Nationwide and really believe in their products and services,” Earnhardt said in a release. “It’ll be fun to work with them in a new way, and I know everyone on the team is looking forward to the partnership. They’ve invested in our sport and built a strong reputation with NASCAR fans, and this opens up doors to do even more great things.”

The news would seem to signal an end to Hendrick Motorsports’ three-year relationship with Farmers Insurance, a primary sponsor for Kasey Kahne in select races. Teams rarely have dealings with businesses within the same industry.

But in a statement, Hendrick reaffirmed its partnership with Farmers.

“Our team has a terrific relationship with the people at Farmers Insurance, and we’re having positive discussions about the future,” Hendrick said. “The announcement regarding the No. 88 team does not impact our ability to continue the partnership beyond 2014.”