Nationwide signs multi-year sponsorship of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 car

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has appeared in Nationwide ads since 2009. (Todd Warshaw/Getty Images) Nationwide Insurance has signed a multi-year agreement to become a

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has appeared in Nationwide ads since 2009. (Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)

Nationwide Insurance has signed a multi-year agreement to become a primary sponsor of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 car for 12 races beginning next season.

The new deal is valued at more than $10 million per year, and increases Nationwide's sponsorship to 13 Sprint Cup races in 2016 and 2017.

Nationwide Insurance has featured Earnhardt in national advertising campaigns since 2009.

“The Earnhardt family has trusted Nationwide for their insurance needs for more than 35 years, and Dale Jr. has a positive impact on our brand’s reputation and brings pride to Nationwide members and our associates,” Matt Jauchius, chief marketing officer for Nationwide Insurance said in a press release. “Expanding that relationship to incorporate the prestigious operations at Hendrick Motorsports and collaborating with Rick Hendrick and his team is a great fit for Nationwide Insurance.”

The new sponsorship raises questions surrounding Nationwide's future as a sponsor of Roush-Fenway Racing’s No. 17 car driven by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 

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