Images courtesy of DSR/rebilasphoto.com

In what can be considered a perfect match, Rocky Footwear & Apparel has signed a multiple year sponsorship agreement with Don Schumacher Racing and 2011 Funny Car champion Matt Hagan. As a cattle farmer and avid hunter, Rocky could not have made a better choice in determining who will represent their brand. Rocky signage will be onboard Hagan’s car at all 24 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events and will be featured as the primary sponsor at three events beginning at the April 26-28 NHRA Springnationals near Houston.

A few weeks ago, we learned that Hagan’s championship winning crew chief Tommy Delago and his assistant Glen Huszar left DSR to join Team Kalitta and take over the tuning duties on Alexis DeJoria’s Funny Car. In an ironic twist, the Rocky sponsorship has moved from Team Kalitta (Dave Grubnic) over to Don Schumacher Racing. Hagan’s crew chief for 2013 has not yet been announced, but both he and Rocky are looking forward to the partnership ahead.

“We are excited to align the Rocky brand with Schumacher Racing and driver Matt Hagan,” states Liz Horn, marketing vice president for Rocky Brands. “The synergy between Rocky and the interests and lifestyle of Matt and the team is tremendous and will serve to grow both the Rocky and the Schumacher Racing brands.”

 “This is one of those special, exciting days at Don Schumacher Racing when we can introduce a new partner like Rocky that will help us carry the excitement of NHRA Funny Car racing to their customers and we can the further educate our fans about how special Rocky footwear and clothing products are,” said Don Schumacher.  “And Matt was born to represent products like those of Rocky Brands. Matt was a Rocky customer long before Rocky came on board with us.”

It’s not often that a championship winning team does not make the top 10 the next season, but that is exactly what occurred in Hagan’s case in 2012. He and his team will be looking to bounce back and contend for a championship when they arrive at the Winternationals in February.