Schering-Plough to sponsor NASCAR's Edwards

KENILWORTH, N.J. Schering-Plough on Friday announced a first-time sponsorship deal with NASCAR star and allergy sufferer Carl Edwards for the 2008 Sprint Cup racing season.

Edwards, a member of the Roush Fenway Racing team and 2007 Busch Series champion, will drive the No. 99 Claritin Ford Fusion during selected spring races, and Claritin branding will appear on his No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion and firesuit throughout the season.

Edwards also will serve as spokesman for the Claritin "Clear to Drive" campaign. Schering-Plough plans to hold a sweepstakes later this year, awarding five NASCAR fans the opportunity to win a trip around the track with Edwards. One of those fans also will win a Ford Mustang.

"Claritin is proud to sponsor Carl Edwards as he pursues the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship," stated TJ Higgins, group vice president of marketing at Schering-Plough Consumer Healthcare. Edwards will record a radio announcement to educate consumers about the dangers of drowsy driving, which is a growing safety problem in the United States and can potentially result from taking medicines that can cause drowsiness. "Drowsy driving is dangerous, and I'm pleased to be working with Claritin to launch the 'Clear to Drive' campaign,” he stated. “I want to make sure people know how important it is to read the labels of products and understand the potential side effects before they get behind the wheel."