Craftsman Leaving the Truck Series?
What is going on with NASCAR and its rotating door of title sponsors? Nextel sponsored the Cup series for just a little bit of time in the grand scheme of things, and now it is changing to the Sprint Cup. Then, Anheuser Busch ended it’s partnership in sponsoring the Grand National series after more than 25 years. The former Busch Series will become the Nationwide Series beginning in Daytona in 2008.
Now rumor has it that Sears Craftsman Tools brand is looking to forgo extending their contract to be the title sponsor of the NASCAR Truck series. No official announcement has been made as of yet, but inside sources are claiming a press conference will be held sometime in the near future, and possibly even this week yet. Of course, there is no replacement sponsor as of yet, but bids will be taken starting right after the official announcement is made.
Craftsman’s contract will run through the entire 2008 season with the name change coming with the 2009 season. The question is, why are all of these long term partners suddenly up and leaving NASCAR? Sure, the ratings have been down somewhat over the last season, but they are far from struggling. With such brand loyal fans in this sport, the sponsors have to be benefiting from the partnership, don’t you think? Is it the sheer cost of sponsorship that is making the companies opt to have their contracts expire? Besides a bit of advertising, and perhaps some bonus money for winners, what cost is there for a title sponsor?
If anyone has some answers or thoughts about this subject, leave your ideas in the comments section below.
NASCAR, Craftsman Truck Series, Craftsman Truck series losing sponsor
December 4th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
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December 8th, 2007 at 12:13 am
If Craftsman does leave, Heather, maybe another tool company would come in to replace it…someone like Rigid, Dewalt or Kobalt.