Realtree: Community: Realtree car debuts today

"Richard and I were with Tony Stewart at a grand opening for a Bass Pro Shop," Jordan said. "We were talking hunting and racing and he mentioned that Bobby (Labonte) would run 12-15 races for him in the Nationwide series."

Childress didn't have a sponsor for that car, so Jordan stepped in. The No. 21 car driven by Labonte in today's Camping World 300 at Daytona International Speedway will be sponsored by Realtree and will be plastered with the Realtree logo. It will sport an orange and silver paint scheme since the late development of the deal prevented Realtree from going with its camouflage pattern.

"It's a championship car, a championship team and a championship driver," Jordan said.

The No. 21 car is the same car that Sprint Series driver Kevin Harvick drove to a then-Busch Series championship two years ago, Jordan said.

"Kevin Harvick won the Busch series out of it two years ago," Jordan said. "I think Kevin won six races with that car last year as a part-time driver. That car has a great history."

Jordan said he got to spend more time with Labonte, who won the Winston Cup title in 2000, when filming his television show "Realtree's Driven to Hunt," in December.

"With Bobby Labonte, it doesn't get any better than having someone like Bobby with his knowledge and expertise and experience driving the car," Jordan said. "I'm not saying we're going to win, but we'll be a contender, hopefully up front all day long, barring any unforeseen wrecks."

The pedigree of everyone involved made it an easy decision for Jordan, who has been involved with NASCAR since the late 1980s and with Childress for the last 11 years. The long-time association with Childress has served Jordan and Realtree well.

"We appreciate Bill Jordan and everyone at Realtree for sponsoring Bobby Labonte and the No. 21 Chevrolet team," Childress said in a release. "Bill's been a great business partner and a great friend for decades now, so it's an honor to carry the Realtree logos in the first NASCAR Nationwide Series race of the season."

Jordan served as an associate sponsor for the late Dale Earnhardt, who drove Childress' No. 3 Chevrolet. Jordan was also the primary sponsor for Dave Marcis until he retired in 2002.

Following Earnhardt's death in the 2001 Daytona 500, Jordan remained an associate sponsor for Harvick, the driver Childress hired to replace Earnhardt. Realtree is an associate sponsor for Harvick's No. 29 car.

"It gives us a great opportunity to put our name back out in lights as primary sponsor," Jordan said. "I think there will be a couple of more opportunities to run the car this year."

Jordan said the opportunity to continue to sponsor the No. 21 car would continue while Childress searched for sponsorship. Childress said Labonte and Stephen Leicht would drive the car.

"Even at this late date, I'm confident we'll find something for this championship-winning team," Childress said.

Realtree, based here in Columbus, is the world's largest branded camouflage company with more than 2,000 licensees worldwide. Realtree is famous for its show, "Realtree Outdoors," but has become firmly entrenched with NASCAR fans in the last decade, as well.