PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. (September 13, 2024) – Rinnai America Corporation, manufacturer of a leading brand of tankless gas water heaters in North America, has extended their partnership with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Series to promote its line of products. The partnership commenced in 2023 when TSR won their first championship in the Funny Car division with driver, Matt Hagan.

In 2025, Tony Stewart Racing will continue to field two entries in the NHRA: four-time and defending Funny Car champion, Matt Hagan will pilot the Funny Car and either Tony Stewart or Leah Pruett will drive the Top Fuel Dragster. Rinnai colors will continue to adorn both cars.

“Our expertise in the water heating industry is unmatched, and this partnership with Tony Stewart and his NHRA team allows us to tell that story in an engaging, team-oriented environment that emulates the quality and dedication we put into our products and services,” said Frank Windsor, president, Rinnai America Corporation. “The similarities of our business to racing are numerous, especially when speed, efficiency, and superior quality are keys to success. Performance is paramount, and that’s something Rinnai has always understood. It’s part of our overall commitment to our customers and our brand promise of creating a healthier way of living®.”

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series includes 20 events in 2025. Its 74^th season starts with the NHRA Gatornationals March 6-9 in Gainesville, Fla., and concludes with the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals Nov. 13-16 in Pomona, Calif. 

“We’re incredibly proud to extend this partnership with Rinnai because it demonstrates the strength of our NHRA program,” Stewart said. “I’ve visited Rinnai’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Griffin, Ga., and have been incredibly impressed with their attention to detail and quality in all they do. The opportunity to meet and engage their distributors, customers, and employees has been paramount to our relationship. 

“To see our partnership grow organically over two years is something that I am very proud of. This is a great case study on how motorsports platforms can be an extremely effective tool with an appropriate commitment from both the team and partner. Rinnai utilizes every asset that we provide them and is very effective in engaging their constituents in their markets.”

In addition to branding on racecars, Rinnai continues as the official tankless water heater of Tony Stewart Racing. This designation enables Rinnai to showcase the many reasons that trade professionals choose to partner with the company to provide businesses and homes with high-quality, energy-efficient water heating solutions. This year Rinnai has leveraged the partnership to introduce many new and innovative products to the market including the most advanced condensing tankless water heater, an extended line of residential and commercial boilers, and the company’s first electric water heating solution with its electric heat pump water heater.

The 2024 NHRA Countdown will commence today at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pa. for the first of six playoff events and will conclude with the crowning of champions in Pomona, Calif. on Nov. 17. Stewart will fly the Rinnai primary colors on his Top Fuel dragster this weekend in Pennsylvania.

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Rinnai Media Contact: 
Katie Mickschl, 
Manager, PR
Brunner
kmickschl@brunnerworks.com

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About Rinnai:

Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya, Japan, was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia. Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances, including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances, and heating and air conditioning units. As the technology leader in its industry, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and is the No. 1 selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in the United States and Canada. Annual corporate revenues, including those of its subsidiaries, are in excess of $3.3 billion. With a global perspective to create 21st-century products for the home and business, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and Creating a healthier way of living®. For more information about Rinnai’s entire product line, visit www.rinnai.us.             

About Tony Stewart Racing:

Headquartered in Brownsburg, Indiana, Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) fields two entries in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. After more than four decades of racing around in circles, Tony Stewart embarked on a straight and narrow path, albeit more than 300 mph. The championship-winning racecar driver who has successfully transitioned to being a championship-winner team owner, formed the TSR nitro team in 2021, with 2022 marking the team’s first season in competition. Matt Hagan pilots the Funny Car and Tony Stewart took over driving duties in 2024 for wife Leah Pruett in the Top Fuel dragster as they start a family. Hagan is a four-time Funny Car champion (2011, 2014, 2020 and 2023) from Christiansburg, Virginia. Stewart is a NHRA Top Fuel rookie from Columbus, Indiana that finished second in the 2023 Top Alcohol Dragster championship standings.

Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. Rinnai® and Creating a healthier way of living® are the registered trademarks of Rinnai Corporation used under license by Rinnai America Corporation.