5-Hour Energy dumping NASCAR (Update)

Truex Jr.

UPDATE While the announcement that 5-Hour ENERGY would not be returning as a sponsor for Furniture Row Racing and Martin Truex Jr. came as a surprise across the industry, the 2017 champion was not surprised.

5-Hour ENERGY became the co-primary sponsor of the No. 78 Toyota in 2018 for 30 races with Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats.

“They had been the fence for quite a while, and we had been waiting on a decision. I wish it didn’t take as long as it did and kind of put us in a tough spot now. I’m not really, really worried. I think something good can come out of this," Truex said on Friday. NASCAR TV ratings have been plummeting for years so it was nice for 5-hour to stay in this long.

“Obviously, it’s not great timing with all that is going on. I’ve got confidence in my team and what we’re doing and hopefully we can find a replacement for that,

“I don’t know if it has changed that much in the last couple of year. Obviously, it probably goes up a little bit each year," Truex continued. “I don’t think it changed drastically. I think perfect case scenario is that we find someone to replace 5-Hour and try to do it that way. I am not sure, we haven’t had conversations about that. I am not sure where Barney is at. We will see what comes of it."

“They had been the fence for quite a while, and we had been waiting on a decision,’’ Truex said Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “I wish it didn’t take as long as it did and kind of put us in a tough spot now. I’m not really, really worried. I think something good can come out of this.

Plummeting TV ratings likely cost NASCAR another sponsor

07/18/18 Longtime NASCAR sponsor 5-Hour Energy will discontinue its participation in the sport at the conclusion of the 2018 season, the company revealed Wednesday, July 18.

5-Hour Energy has been involved as a primary sponsor for several drivers, including Steve Wallace, Clint Bowyer and Erik Jones, and is currently a part-time primary sponsor for reigning Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr.

Rise’ Meguiar, president of sales for Living Essentials, parent company of 5-hour ENERGY, issued a statement on the business decision.

“Since joining Furniture Row Racing in 2017, the team has delivered on every promise," said Meguiar. “In addition to being a championship team, winning races and putting 5-hour ENERGY in victory lane multiple times, they have also become part of our family.

“We cannot thank Barney Visser, Joe Garone, Martin and the entire Furniture Row Racing team enough for the pride they have given us. They are a first-class group on and off the track. Although 5-hour ENERGY has made the business decision to leave NASCAR, we will be fans and friends for life, and we look forward to finishing strong in 2018."

In addition to 5-Hour Energy, Truex has primary sponsorship this season from Bass Pro Shops, Autowners Insurance, Toyota and team owner Barney Visser’s companies, Furniture Row and Denver Mattress.

Truex is currently negotiating a contract extension with Furniture Row Racing. Both sides have said they are optimistic that a deal will be reached in the near future. Frontstretch