Roush Fenway’s Ragan in running for UPS sponsorship for ’09
09/12/08 UPS will move its NASCAR sponsorship to Roush Fenway Racing and driver David Ragan, the SportsBusiness Journal reported Thursday.
UPS officials have a news conference scheduled for 9:30 a.m. EDT on Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where it will announce its new driver and team for 2009.
According to the SportsBusiness Journal, that driver will be Ragan.
09/02/08 This rumor is upgraded to 'strong' today. UPS has reportedly reached to a multiyear agreement with Roush-Fenway Racing to sponsor David Ragan and the No. 6 Ford Fusion next season, with an official announcement expected within the next two weeks. UPS will leave Michael Waltrip Racing at the end of the 2008 campaign, after backing Dale Jarrett and David Reutimann for the last two years. Ragan is in his second year of Sprint Cup competition, and ranks as one of NASCAR’s most improved drivers. He is currently 13th in the championship standing, just 17 points out of the Chase with one regular season race remaining. Motorsports Soapbox
08/16/08 UPS was linked to Roush Fenway Racing three months ago when the organization was looking for sponsorship for Carl Edwards.
Aflac ended up sponsoring Edwards, but Roush Fenway Racing still might land UPS as the organization still needs a sponsor for David Ragan. Talks with UPS are continuing as UPS has not committed to a team in 2009, Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith confirmed.
Michael Waltrip Racing is not expected to retain UPS, and Roush Fenway needs a sponsor to replace AAA for Ragan.
“We are a candidate," Smith said in an email. “We don't know at this time whether or not we will win. … Of course it would be fantastic to be associated with UPS."
UPS has been linked to several drivers and organizations. Gillett Evernham Motorsports still needs a sponsor for its No. 10 car and has not committed yet to current driver Patrick Carpentier. Stewart-Haas Racing still needs a sponsor for Ryan Newman, Dale Earnhardt Inc. still needs sponsorship for its No. 01 car, driven this year by Regan Smith. Yates Racing still needs sponsors for its drivers as well. SceneDaily.com