For 33 years, NASCAR’s senior circuit bore the name of one company, and one company only — RJ Reynolds’ Winston brand.
But since RJ Reynolds pulled out of the series in 2004, the name and the brand associated with NASCAR’s top division have been in a constant state of change, going through two sponsorship changes in the past five years and the possibility of a name change in the not-to-distant future.
Philly.com reported this week that Comcast may be forced to join NASCAR in a roundabout way and become the new corporate face of the sport should the current economic conditions keep up and competition in the cable television market.
Citing a number of sources, Philly.com reported that Comcast may be forced to look at purchasing wireless giant Sprint Nextel, the current sponsor of the NASCAR Sprint Cup, in an effort to compete with market competition from wireless giants AT&T and Verizon, who have been cutting into Comcast’s market shares over the past couple of years.
The story goes on to say that Comcast and Sprint Nextel are counting on the Clearwire 4G wireless network to take off, but if that doesn’t work, Comcast may consider buying rather than building its own wireless network to compete, making Sprint Nextel, the third largest wireless provider in the country, a potentially lucrative target.
According to an article cited in the Philly.com story, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, who was speaking at the annual wireless show in Washington earlier this week, refused to confirm whether Clearwire 4G was his company’s only attempt at breaking into the wireless market.
ALMIROLA OUT
For weeks it has been said that should Earnhardt Ganassi Racing be unsuccessful in locking down a sponsor for the No. 8 team and driver Aric Almirola, the team would cease operations until a sponsorship could be found.
That seems to be the case now, as SPEED TV’s Bob Dilner reported on “SPEED Report” that the No. 8 team would be missing from Phoenix International Raceway this weekend as a sponsor for the car still has yet to be found.
This move could also have a major impact on the rest of EGR’s race teams, according to media reports.
Martin Truex Jr., driver of the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet for EGR, is reported to have a clause in his contract with the team, stating that he can leave EGR should the team fail to supply him with two teammates.
It has also been rumored that Bass Pro Shops would leave EGR should Truex bolt, but that rumor seems to be untrue as EGR President Steve Lauletta told SPEED TV’s Hermie Sadler that Bass Pro Shop’s contract with EGR runs through the 2010 season and has no out clause in it.
GILLLILAND IN
It was also reported that the No. 71 of David Gilliland and TRG Motorsports would also miss the Phoenix race due to a lack of sponsorship, but Gilliland’s crew chief Slugger Labbe quelled the rumors earlier this week on Sirius NASCAR Radio’s “The Morning Drive,” telling hosts Mike Bagley and David Poole that the team plans to attempt to qualify for this weekend’s race.
“Well, we’re going,” Labbe said, when asked about the reports of the team ceasing operations and missing the Phoenix race. “You know, we’ve got the motor sitting here, the gear transmission. We just got the car back from getting the body fixed and it is in the paint booth now getting ready. We’re planning on going. David is wanting to race. He’s going to run the West race out there, whatever that series is. He’s going to run out there. I’m going to go help him.
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2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Points Standings
Rank…Driver…Points…Behind
1.…Jeff Gordon…1154…0
2.…Jimmie Johnson…992…162
3.…Kurt Busch…974…180
4.…Clint Bowyer…967…187
5.…Tony Stewart…963…191
6.…Denny Hamlin…938…216
7.…Kyle Busch…914…240
8.…Carl Edwards…889…265
9.…Matt Kenseth…864…290
10.…Kasey Kahne…851…303
11.…David Reutimann…845…309
12.…Jeff Burton…835…319
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