Jerry Springer could sponsor Kurt Busch

UPDATE This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Sponsorship between "The Jerry Springer Show" and Phoenix Racing was shot down on Thursday night. "Although the 'Springer' folks told us they are huge NASCAR and Kurt Busch fans, at this time they're going to pass on the sponsorship opportunity," said Phoenix Racing general manager Steve Barkdoll. "But they wished us good luck." Barkdoll said the popular talk show host was looking for a way to boost ratings and thought NASCAR could be the perfect avenue. Certainly, the colorful Phoenix Racing could have offered the perfect alliance.

06/10/12 OK, it's only in the proposal stages, but a NASCAR team might soon sport a car bearing a likeness of salacious TV talk-show host Jerry Springer. And fittingly, given recent events, the team involved is Phoenix Racing's #51, which typically is driven by NASCAR bad boy Kurt Busch. Phoenix Racing general manager Steve Barkdoll on Saturday showed FOXSports.com mock-ups of the #51 Chevy sponsored by "The Jerry Springer Show."

Before Darlington Raceway weekend, Springer representatives asked Phoenix Racing to submit a proposal for a possible sponsorship, and the team delivered an image of the green and white car bearing Springer's likeness and the show's logo on the hood. The Springer request came after Busch drove the #51 with a "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" paint scheme the previous week in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Fox Sports