NASCAR Sponsors
October 30th, 2008 | by RacingWin |
Even Dale Jr Needs A Sponsor
You know times are hard when Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Rick Hendrick can’t find a sponsor. The United States Navy has announced they’re leaving Junior’s Nationwide team.
Last year Junior and Hendrick announced they were merging their Nationwide series programs - and would operate the No. 88 and No. 5 cars out of Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports shop.
Now the operation is scaling back. People at JR Motorsports are losing their jobs, and expenses are being slashed.
“We’ve been working aggressively to secure funding to continue with two teams in the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” said Kelley Earnhardt, General Manager of JR Motorsports.
“The economic climate is difficult, as everyone is aware, and that is affecting every company’s ability to spend. The 2008 season will be ending in less than three weeks, and preparations for next season are already underway.”
“We do not anticipate getting the funding required to field two teams after the end of this season, and we need to make adjustments now to prepare JR Motorsports accordingly. We are reducing our workforce and budgets to comply with a new plan for 2009, which at the present time is to field the #88 team full-time with driver Brad Keselowski and the #5 team on a limited basis with a select group of drivers.”
JR Motorsports isn’t alone. Other big name teams are also having a hard time attracting sponsors.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has a sponsor locked up for only one of their four teams - Martin Truex, Jr.’s job is safe, with Bass Pro Shops backing him. Regan Smith and Aric Almirola are still without sponsors for 2009 - with no word yet if anyone will replace Paul Menard in the No. 15 car after he bolted from DEI taking his sponsor with him.
Bam Racing has suspended operation of the No. 49 car while it searches for sponsorship.
Yates Racing has operated most of this year either without sponsors, or with a race to race deal with a handful of smaller sponsors. In 2009 they will have full sponsorship from Menards with Paul Menard behind the wheel. No word on the other two cars of David Gilliland and Travis Kvapil.
Michael Waltrip Racing has lost UPS as a sponsor. The delivery company is headed to Roush Racing in 2009 for David Ragan.
Even NASCAR itself has had sponsorship issues. It took longer than expected to find a sponsor to replace Craftsman in the Truck Series - Camping World finally came aboard at the last minute.
Race teams can only operate out of their own pocket for so long.
If this continues we won’t be talking about the top 35 rule much longer. Instead we’ll be talking about less than full fields and start and park drivers.
It’s the economy - and NASCAR is suffering along with everyone else.
6 Responses to “NASCAR Sponsors”
By Marie Council on Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
How sad. They are like one big family. I feel badly for those who lose their jobs. I also feel badly for those who have to break the news to them.
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By Jerome Jasinkowski on Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
Its A shame that President Bush An Vice President Channey has messed things up, its hard to say how long nascar can run with out sponsors, Dale Jr getting on his feet and building a Business for him self And A new Team with A Mad Polock behind the wheel, lets hope things will turn aroundafter the election. Good Luck Jr
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By Maureen on Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
I have always been correct about things that happened in NASCAR in the past and I believe I am still correct in saying……………NASCAR
will hurt for what they did to poor young Ragan Smith by taking the race from him (who needed it badly) and, illegally, outright and wrongly gave it to Tony Stewart. I forfeited my tickets and will not pass them on because of this. NASCAR is crooked and extremely dishonest. Ask Dale Jr, he knows it’s true!
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By Maureen on Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
NASCAR is dishonest and deserves to suffer for what they did to poor young Ragan Smith when they took a hard and much-earned race from him and illegally handed it over to Tony Stewart. I have forfeited my tickets for rest of the year and will not let anyone have them. NASCAR is evil. They’re trying to hurt Jimmie Johnson but he’s a lot smarter than they expected. Ask Dale Jr, he’ll tell you the truth about NASCAR; it’s fixed to what they want and not enjoyable anymore.
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By ROBERT FLIBOTTE on Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
Nascar, needs to get out because they do not do things right they should of just gave jimmy johnson the title. because of rain outs it puts him in front were they should qualafry on saturday to give the others a chance you know if your in front all the time and you dont have to qualafry there is ownly one place to go on top. so just give him the trophy. i hope some one gets back to me on this. thanks robert flibotte
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By LADYBLUE on Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
I just can’t believe what’s going on with sponsors but I do believe Jr and Hendrick will get the sponsors they need for the 09 season, be patient. I watch every race but Nascar needs to get their sh_t together and be fair!
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