Ally bringing Execs to Daytona 500 to see their car smoked

37 Buescher 6th and 48 Johnson 8th were 8th in the Duels. They have no chance against the Ford Mustangs

Ally is bringing in a significant amount of its C-level execs for Sunday's Daytona 500, and the brand is also engaging in some guerrilla marketing around Daytona Beach. Ally is starting its first year as full season sponsor of Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Chevy, replacing Lowe's. The financial services company will give out free new merchandise to fans who are wearing old Lowe's 48 merchandise during the Daytona 500 weekend. Ally is holding the promotion at a mall near Daytona, because it cannot do consumer-facing activation since Fifth Third Bank holds those rights in the banking category at the track.

Meanwhile, CMO Andrea Brimmer said that Ally was pleased with the way its unique paint scheme looked during its first on-track action for last weekend's Advance Auto Parts Clash exhibition. Brimmer: "We absolutely loved how the car looked. … The livery is unique and disruptive, and we saw many positive comments in social about the design." Adam Stern/SBD