NAPA Auto Parts is to return to Nascar for the 2014 season, after pulling out of its sponsorship of the Michael Waltrip Racing team late last year in the wake of the Richmond race manipulation scandal.

The company has confirmed it will sponsor JR Motorsports' Chase Elliot (pictured) in the 2014 Nationwide Series, taking primary sponsorship rights for every race on the schedule.

It will be the company's 19th season of Nascar sponsorship, with the deal worth a multi-million dollar sum. Some estimates suggest the deal could be worth as much as US$5 million in total to the team.

“NAPA is pleased to continue its long standing involvement in Nascar, the most popular form of motorsports in the United States supported by its many loyal and passionate fans,” said Dan Askey, the president of NAPA.

Chase Elliot is the son of 1988 Nascar champion Bill. He said: “Working with NAPA will be an honour. They’ve had a tremendous impact in Nascar, and I’m proud to represent their brand, on and off the track, to race fans.

"I’m extremely pumped to get to work in 2014 with that first trip to Daytona and make the most of this opportunity.”

The Nascar season begins at Daytona in February.

Source: SportsPro