Will another sponsor get lost in the shuffle of buy-outs?

Communications sponsors often become obsolete in NASCAR.

Truckers Connection

7/2/2008

July 12
LifeLock.com 400
Chicagoland Speedway

July 27
Allstate 400 at The Brickyard
Indianapolis, Motor Speedway

It’s a somewhat familiar story in the NASCAR news vault — a communications sponsor becoming obsolete in the NASCAR sport after a buy-out makes them an invalid participant in the sport whose title sponsor is a king-daddy communications co. whose sponsorship affords them no new competitors allowed in.

It happened with AT&T bought out Cingular and was then ceremoniously informed by the courts that even though the Cingular name was grandfathered in (as a sponsor prior to Sprint Nextel stepping up as the title sponsor) AT&T would not be allowed to remain in NASCAR after the 2008 season.

And now Alltel — long time sponsor of Penske Racing’s #12 driven by Ryan Newman — may be facing the same fate. Currently, Verizon Wireless is in the process of closing the deal to purchase Alltel. If that deal is completed, Alltel can remain on the car indefinitely, according to NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston. However, if the name changes to Verizon, it cannot run as a sponsor.

Jonathan Gibson, Penske Racing’s vice president for marketing and communications, said it’s too early to guess how the relationship between Newman and Alltel will play out.

“Right now, we’re focused on getting the Alltel Dodge into the Chase and back into Victory Lane,” commented Gibson. “Alltel is a long-term valued partner with Penske Racing, and we look forward to continuing this strong relationship.”

Who couldn’t use some free fuel? 5,000 gallons worth!

The official fuel of NASCAR, Sunoco, has once again kicked off its “Free Fuel 5000” summer promotion. And who wouldn’t use some free fuel in this day and age?

To participate, simply stop by any one of Sunoco’s 4,000 participating locations and pick up a free Sunoco/NASCAR decal. Slap that puppy on your car and wait to be seen by Sunoco’s professional spotting teams that will be deployed throughout the summer, looking for the decal displayed on cars.

If you’re spotted with the decal at or near a Sunoco station, you’ll instantly receive a Gift Card for free gas. 12,000 instant winners will be awarded and then included in the random drawing for the Grand Prize of 5,000 gallons of quality gasoline from Sunoco.

There is no limit to the number of Gift Cards you can win by being seen in the right place with the right decal. And that means all the more opportunities to win that Grand Prize as well. Says Chris Buitron, manager of brand marketing for Sunoc “It’s our way of thanking our customers for their continued support.” Check out www.gosunoco.com for the official rules, participating locations and photos of instant winners in the Free Fuel 5000 Victory Lane.

Prelude to a Dream strikes up big names, big bucks and an owner-winner, all in the name of charity

The Eldora Speedway in Ohio has a reputation — a long standing one in the field of racing (some 54 years) and all the more attention to it since two-time Cup champ Tony Stewart claimed ownership back in 2004.

Known to be one of the most charitable of NASCAR drivers, it’s not surprise that Stewart uses his track to orchestrate what has now become one of the most popular race events outside of the sanctioned NASCAR races. The Prelude to a Dream is a dirt track race attended by some of NASCAR’s most popular folks. They come for fun, they come for charity, they come to win. And while 18,000 fans can enjoy the spectacle from the stands at Eldora, countless numbers enjoy the show from the comfort of their homes, through broadcast pay-per-view. Yeah, you’ll pay some bucks for the privilege but true to form, Stewart’s cause is a well-worthy one: proceeds from the race go to support the Tony Stewart Foundation and the construction of a second Victory Junction Gang Camp — this one in Kansas City — for children with life-threatening health issues.

This year, the big winner was also the big promoter. Stewart himself laid claim to the win — and it’s really no wonder since the man could win tricycle races with the right equipment. It was the second Prelude win for Stewart; fans were treated to his signature fence-climbing after the show. Second place was claimed by Robby Gordon and Clint Bowyer came in third.

Of Gordon, Steward said: “I told him for years I thought he would be great in a dirt car. I think he’s one of the most naturally talented drivers that races every week in the Sprint Cup series. I’m proud of [Gordon’s performance] because it makes me look like a genius.”

Where Robby’s talents lay, perhaps he’s a genius, perhaps not. But he certainly is one for concocting and promoting an event that colleagues want to attend, fans enjoy and kids who deserve it benefit from.