You can be sure of it: When conventional wisdom insists that MegaTeams shall rule the NASCAR domain, someone is going to find ways to poke holes in the logic. One of the most intriguing things we’ve seen so far this year is an influx of small “underfunded” teams biting at the edges of the monoliths-rule [...]
Amid ongoing speculation about his relationship with retail giant Target, Chip Ganassi has moved swiftly to make it clear that Dario Franchitti will not be participating in the Indy 500. The way things are going this year, he might want to reconsider. Earlier this week, “persistent rumors” (thanks, Jayski) indicated Target’s unhappiness with all things [...]
When we’re right, we’re right. And when we’re wrong, we admit it. If you look around here just a little bit, you’ll find somebody casting doubt on the wisdom and validity of Nationwide Insurance Company’s decision to become title sponsor of NASCAR’s second tier series. Seems we might have underestimated the power of the NASCAR [...]
After holding Robby Gordon over a barrel for a couple of weeks, the National Stock Car Racing Commission has taken the unusual step of reversing Gordon’s points penalty and crew chief suspension for the “Nose Gate” infraction. The Commission, while asserting that the team is ultimately responsible for the car it presents at a NASCAR [...]
With a few days to cool off after a smokin’ finish (or perhaps not-so-Smoke-in; sorry, Tony), let’s review Speedweeks from the sponsor lens. Earnhardt Jr. Pays Immediate Dividends An enduring theme from the weekend broadcast was “Wow, look at all that green! This place used to be red!” Seems that Team Earnhardt’s Big Bet has [...]
Let’s be clear about this: The jury is still out. We’re about to offer opinions on sponsors who were “winners” and “losers” from a very busy offseason 2007-2008. Realistically, nobody can really call a winner or a loser until we start running races and watching sponsorship programs unfold. It’s easy to identify some high profile [...]
Greetings, and let’s go racing! Our new commitment for 2008, and hopefully beyond, is to explore the world of motorsports sponsorship. For the past 10 years or so, we’ve been providing a nearly continuous stream of news, information, links, and commentary both witty and wise. This year, we’re going to be a little more focused, [...]
Post this under, “Most Interesting Thing We’ve Heard All Week.” Jaski is reporting that Richard Childress is still actively seeking to field a fourth team next year. No surprise there. But the very interesting part comes at the end: Childress still contemplating 4th team: Now that he’s lost out on the Kyle Busch sweepstakes, car [...]
I watched people around me cringe as they listened to Ashley Judd drone on and on about “my husband” driving to victory at the Indianapolis 500 “like a gentleman.” Purportedly, that was intended to link Franchitti to his hero and fellow countryman, Jim Clark. But after the scene in pitlane after Watkins Glen — not [...]
Steve Johnson, president of Champ Car, did a radio interview in Portland to promote this week’s race there. However, despite numerous set-ups from the radio jock, he missed every opportunity to actually promote the event. He didn’t know the schedule, didn’t know what support races were on the bill, didn’t know where people could go [...]