Fastenal Company (NASDAQ: FAST), a major distributor of industrial and construction products, announced a significant update to its sponsorship of RFK Racing, replacing its traditional blue paint scheme with the striking black and orange design of its Body Guard brand. This change aims to boost visibility and engagement for Body Guard, Fastenal’s critical line of safety equipment, starting with the 2026 racing season.
Body Guard’s Bold New Look Reflects Safety Commitment
Pete Watkins, Fastenal’s Marketing Strategist, described the shift as a deliberate alignment of marketing efforts with the brand’s dedication to superior safety products:
“This change is more than just a new look; it’s a strategic move to align our marketing efforts with our commitment to providing top quality safety products to our customers. The orange and black scheme is bold and memorable, much like our Body Guard products themselves,”
Watkins said.
Brent Roeder, Vice President of Sales at Fastenal, explained that the Body Guard brand has evolved its mission to better represent its focus on safety:
“Fastenal’s Body Guard brand has evolved from ‘engineered for survival’ to ‘engineered for safety’ to better reflect its core mission. Unlike typical private-label products, Body Guard offers high-quality safety solutions designed with extensive expertise,”
Roeder added.
He further emphasized Fastenal’s technical capability:
“We leverage decades of experience and deep technical knowledge as we aim to ensure every product meets or exceeds market standards in quality and performance. By featuring the Body Guard paint scheme on the RFK Racing cars, we are confident that we will reach a broader audience and highlight the importance of safety in every industry.”
Enduring Partnership Strengthened by Shared Values
RFK Racing President Chip Bowers highlighted the longevity and strength of Fastenal’s relationship with the team:
“Fastenal is one of RFK Racing’s longest-running partners, and we’re thrilled to continue that relationship with the Body Guard brand,”
he said.
Bowers praised the alignment between Body Guard’s brand values and RFK Racing’s high-performance standards:
“Body Guard represents exceptional performance standards and dependable quality. These are values that align naturally with what we demand in everything we do on and off the track.”
Upcoming Season Features Expanded Body Guard Presence
While the Body Guard colors have appeared on RFK Racing cars during select events, including a debut of the 2025 paint scheme at Talladega on April 27th, the 2026 season will mark a broader rollout. Fans will see Body Guard branding front and center not only on the car but also on team competition apparel and the race hauler. Fastenal will maintain a supportive role as a key supplier throughout this transition, reinforcing the depth of the partnership both on and off the circuit.
Significance of the Branding Transformation
This shift to Body Guard’s black and orange design demonstrates Fastenal’s intent to amplify the message of safety across industries by leveraging motorsports’ visibility. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment between Fastenal and RFK Racing to quality, performance, and safety, highlighting the importance of protective solutions while engaging a broad audience during the high-profile NASCAR season ahead.
