Anheuser-Busch to drop NASCAR sponsorship
Several companies have already made inquiries about taking Busch’s place, including Wal-Mart, Samsung and Subway, the Observer has learned. Subway is considered the least likely of the three, sources said, although it does already sponsor a Nextel Cup Series team and two races, at Martinsville, Va., and Phoenix.
Other companies could enter the picture as NASCAR’s search expands, officials said.
12/18/06 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today – see Hot News page. This is major bad news for NASCAR because the "Busch" series was a branded name. Maybe this is why Brian France was rumored to be driving drunk recently – he's drowning his sorrows as NASCAR under his leadership is taking a definite downturn on all fronts – sponsorship, TV ratings and attendance. To be clear he was not charged with drunk driving but he did admit he had a drink(s) but the police never tested him.
The company began sponsoring the series in 1982, when the series was called the NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series. It was changed to the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series in 1984 and then the NASCAR Busch Series in 1995.
09/28/06 Monster Energy Drink is not owned by Anheuser-Busch like Jayski reports, but rather by Hansens Natural. The reason he is likely confused is that Hansens recently signed a distribution arrangement with Anheuser-Busch.
09/28/06 Jayski reports hearing that the Monster Energy drink, which is owned by Anheuser-Busch, will be the new sponsor of the 'Busch' Series.
09/25/06 The NASCAR Busch Series is expected to have a new title sponsor in 2008, multiple sources close to ongoing negotiations told NASCAR.COM on Saturday at Dover International Speedway.
Potential replacement candidates were not disclosed NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter confirmed that 2007 is the final year of the existing contract between Anheuser-Busch and NASCAR, while stressing that discussions about the future are ongoing.
"All I can tell you is we're working on 2007, and Busch is certainly a part of that," Hunter said. "We're in discussions about the future."
The sources, each of whom spoke on condition of anonymity, all agreed that Anheuser-Busch is re-evaluating the Busch brand's status as title sponsor of NASCAR's second-highest series, and where it fits in the company's overall marketing strategy.
Tony Ponturo, Anheuser-Busch vice president of global media and sports marketing, said nothing of the sort.
"We haven't even begun negotiations," Ponturo said Saturday. "Renewal negotiations begin next spring." NASCAR.com