Budweiser moves to Kahne’s car

UPDATE #2 The fact Kasey Kahne will drive a Budweiser-sponsored Dodge in 2008 is old news. What's interesting is that the No. 9 won't be red in every race. In fact, sometimes it may be blue. Sources close to negotiations told ESPN.com on Sunday that one of Kahne's current sponsors, likely Allstate, would serve as primary sponsor in "a couple of races." (Which races the blue car would run was not known.) That would be a significant move; Anheuser-Busch isn't apt to offer up the hood of its car to another sponsor. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has driven several different paint schemes during his eight full Nextel Cup seasons in the No. 8. But they all were Budweiser-sponsored. ESPN.com

09/14/07 On Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007 at 10 a.m. EST, Gillett Evernham Motorsports has finalized and will announce a multi-year sponsorship for driver Kasey Kahne and the No. 9 Dodge. Gillett Evernham Motorsports principals George Gillett and Ray Evernham will make the formal announcement during a press conference at the team’s shop in Statesville, N.C. where Budweiser is expected to be named primary sponsor.

Budweiser has been the primary sponsor for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 8 Chevrolet at Dale Earnhardt Inc. since 2000, his rookie season in Nextel Cup. But Earnhardt announced earlier this year that he would have new sponsors for his first season at Hendrick Motorsports in 2008.

Hendrick officials and Earnhardt are holding a news conference Wednesday in Dallas to announce his new sponsors and his new car number.

08/30/07 Gillett Evernham Motorsports has “agreed in principle" on a deal for Budweiser to be the primary sponsor of Kasey Kahne next season. The “biggest issue is licensing revenue." Kahne’s reps want to ensure that he is “not giving up more than he gains because there’s a possibility this could hurt his relationship with Allstate and his Vitaminwater deal" NASCAR Now