Rich Mar Florist, NASCAR Driver Ryan Ellis, and Alpha Prime Racing are proud to announce today that Rich Mar Florists will be utilizing their sponsorship of the No.43 Chevy to support the Laughlin Family Foundation. The Laughlin Family Foundation raises money to help those affected by rare cancer through education, awareness, and research. This fundraising campaign will run through the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race, the Explore The Pocono Mountains 225, at Pocono Raceway on Saturday, July 22nd, 2023.
The No.43 Rich Mar Florists Chevy will be debuting a scintillating purple and white design in Pocono, tied together with both icy and floral textures. The icy texture points to The Laughlin Family Foundation’s founder Craig Laughlin’s career as a former NHL player and current broadcaster for the Washington Capitals, and the flowers are representative of Rich Mar Florist.
Rich Mar Florist has been the Lehigh Valley’s local florist since 1955. From small beginnings, the company has grown to provide floral arrangements at events large and small across the country. The family-owned business has been involved in motorsports 2019. They have supported drivers and teams of all sizes, even creating their own racing brand, Rich Mar Florist Racing.
Rich Mar Florist Racing has sponsored drivers competing in NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Truck Series, 410 and 360 Winged Sprint Cars, Dirt Midgets, IndyCar, and more. They’re also partnered with major venues such as Pocono Raceway, Nashville Superspeedway, Watkins Glen International, and Dover Motor Speedway. They have large partnerships outside of motorsports, including the U.S. Open, AHL partnerships with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and the Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins, and MILB with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
The Laughlin Family Foundation’s mission is to help spread awareness, education, and research for rare cancers. Craig Laughlin, former NHL player and current NBC Sports Washington analyst, started the foundation when his wife Linda was diagnosed with a rare gynecological cancer in 2018. To date, the foundation has raised over $500,000, which has helped support rare gynecologic cancer education, research, and awareness projects. Such projects include funding for Dr. Amanda Nickles Fader at Johns Hopkins and her novel research for rare endometrial cancers.
This will be the third year that Ellis has partnered with the Laughlin’s. The partnership first found its roots when Tom and TJ Keen of CorvetteParts.net / Keen Parts graciously donated their sponsorship to the Laughlin Family Foundation. The CorvetteParts.net / Laughlin Family Foundation race car raced at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2023 and Martinsville Speedway in 2022. Last year, the race was part of an effort that raised nearly $200,000 for the fight against rare cancers.
During the duration of the campaign, fans who donate $100.00 or more will be able to get their name, or name of choice, on Ellis’ No.43 Rich Mar Florist Chevy. Names will be integrated into the scheme of the No.43 Chevy. Fans can also show their support by recognizing someone who has been affected by cancer through the $100.00 donation. The deadline for name purchasing/submission is July 20th. Donations can be made here: https://www.thelaughlinfamilyfoundation.org.
Also represented on the No.43 Chevrolet for this special weekend will be Backwoods Outdoor Center, CSI Asphalt, Howie’s Hockey Tape, R3, and Kreer Construction – all making their debut as a sponsor of Ellis and Alpha Prime Racing.
RMNB will also be returning, a long-time sponsor and friend of both Ellis and the Laughlin’s.
