No ruling on ATT lawsuit

UPDATE NASCAR presented its case to the court today and we eagerly await a decision. NASCAR is defending every driver, team and track involved with NASCAR. The court’s ruling will be important to protect the very flexible and open environment that allows for hundreds of sponsors to successfully participate in NASCAR. It’s important to remember that Sprint Nextel is a cornerstone sponsor that benefits the entire industry by way of its contribution to the championship points fund, technology bringing fans closer to the sport and its massive marketing and advertising campaigns. NASCAR will continue to protect the industry in any future attacks on our key partners. NASCAR PR

04/26/07 Jeff Burton’s No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet will bear the familiar Cingular markings for at least two more weeks. There was no decision Thursday on AT&T’s request for an injunction to have its logos placed on Burton’s car. Instead, U.S. District court judge Marvin H. Schoob listened to almost four hours of arguments from NASCAR, AT&T and Nextel and then set May 7 as the deadline for briefs to be submitted in the case. At Thursday’s preliminary injunction hearing, NASCAR attorneys defended the decision to prevent Cingular – the primary sponsor of the No. 31 car – from changing its branding on the car to the AT&T blue globe.