GM fallout: Reduced NASCAR effort

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' with today's announcement that Shell is replacing GM Goodwrench on the No. 29 Kevin Harvick car.

10/07/06 It's not only Ford that are cutting back their auto racing expenditures. While Ford has cut back its sponsorship of the three Canadian Champ Car events, rumors suggest that GM will cut back their NASCAR effort. The Richard Childress team has scheduled a press conference today in Talladega. GM Goodwrench, Dale Earnhardt's primary sponsor between 1988 and his death in 2001, is believed to be cutting back on its sponsorship of Richard Childress Racing at the end of the current season, as the company looks more and more to controlling its spending in the face of serious economic problems. Rumors suggest that Shell Oil could become the primary sponsor with GM taking a secondary role.