Kahne could lose Budweiser sponsorship next year

UPDATE Sources tell ESPN's Marty Smith Kevin Harvick will have a split sponsorship on the #29 in 2011, and Budweiser will be on the car in the majority of points races, as well as the two exhibition events. There are still some hurdles to jump to get the Bud deal done. RCR had no comment when Marty asked them about it. Budweiser, either. Budweiser and Harvick are a good match. His edgy personality fits the brand well. He meshes with the no-nonsense good ol' boy, red label demographic. I'm told Harvick did himself a huge favor with the way he conducted himself in Victory Lane at the Shootout in February — beer in hand while saying and doing the right things in front of the company's new management. ESPN.com

05/02/10 If there's a level of uncertainty regarding Kahne's crew chief, there's even more regarding the future of his current sponsor, Budweiser. Brian Dunlap, Anheuser Busch Manger of Sports Marketing, said Friday that his company hasn't even begun discussions about the future of one of the sport's most iconic sponsors.

"Our focus is on Kasey Kahne and 2010," Dunlap said. "Until we have those discussions, there's really no comment on our part."

Kahne and Budweiser were sporting a retro paint scheme this weekend in Richmond, commemorating the 25th anniversary of Darrell Waltrip's Winston Cup championship in the red-and-white Budweiser car. USA Today