National Guard to drop NASCAR sponsorship

UPDATE Geoff Smith, president of Roush Racing, says he last talked to NASCAR officials about a month ago on complying with NASCAR's four-team limit. NASCAR announced last year that they would limit organizations to four teams. Roush fields five teams. Roush officials say contracts with sponsors and drivers go through the 2009 season. Smith says he's hopeful the organization can fulfill those contracts before downsizing. "They've made it pretty clear that they don't want an indefinite window,'' Smith said about NASCAR. "Philosophically, it seems like we're on the same page. I expect … we're going to do this on a year-to-year basis with the view that if we can get it done before then we will.'' Smith also said that the team is in talks with the National Guard about returning as a sponsor. The National Guard is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 22 races for Greg Biffle this season. Roanoke Times

05/05/06 Rumor in the NASCAR garage is that National Guard will no longer be on the No. 16 car of Greg Biffle after 2006. Conspiracy theorists always tell us that whenever a NASCAR sponsor is rumored to be leaving, that car wins the pole or race soon thereafter. However, we are sure it's just a coincidence that Biffle put the National Guard car on the pole for Richmond tomorrow night.