Truth & Rumors > Auto Racing
NASCAR sponsorship money drying up
About a week after becoming a former Sprint Cup driver when his team was shut down, Dario Franchitti was asked how things were going. "Not great," Franchitti said. "It was a big shock that it happened." That shock, some around NASCAR are saying, could soon be spreading like crabgrass. Tough economic times have descended upon the American economy, and that spells bad news for a sport that is joined at the hip, shoulders and ankles to the business community. Sponsorship money for teams, cars and drivers appears to be thinning significantly, some are saying. Asked last week what he thinks the sponsorship picture looks like right now, Jeff Burton -- one of the headier drivers in NASCAR -- said, "It's lean. It's very lean."
More FanHouse Blogs
- Michaele Salahi Crashes White House Dinner
- Iverson Announces Intention to Retire
- NFL Picks: Week 12
- Talking the Talk With Gus Johnson
- Andruw Jones Signs With White Sox
- Alicia Sacramone Dating Brady Quinn
- Abe Pollin Dies at Age 85
- NFL Power Rankings Week 12
- Teon Kennedy Copes With Foe's Death
- Dean Meminger Hospitalized Following Fire
Stub Hub
The 2009 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!
Truth & Rumors
MOST POPULAR
-
1
Red Sox-Jays deal-killer?
- Views
- 36838
- Comments
- 1179
-
2
Martz to jump-start Bears offense?
- Views
- 13373
- Comments
- 906
-
3
Notre Dame cancels Weis' recruiting trip
- Views
- 48007
- Comments
- 296
-
4
Miami: Less Gators, more Bulls
- Views
- 7932
- Comments
- 252
-
5
Artest: Free agents 'scared' to play in NY
- Views
- 50855
- Comments
- 183
Most Active Users
Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns
Message Boards
-
NCAAF > General NCAAF
Longhorns vs. Aggies…
- Views
- 561
- Replies
- 79
-
NCAAF > General NCAAF
No More 'Canes and Gators
- Views
- 341
- Replies
- 58
-
NCAAF > General NCAAF
Week 13 Predictions (Rivalry…
- Views
- 163
- Replies
- 14


Maria Kirilenko
Chelsey Buhler



Comments (18) Add A Comment
Hey Franchitti you could drive kyle Busch's motor coach while you wait for a ride to become available.
shave the Busch
Total Comments (195)
Thats got to be a bummer, to switch in a career, think all is going right, and BAM!, got no job, got no friends, got no money, no where to live, and then Kyle comes out and offers you a JOB MAN!, Do it, take the job, you still won't have any friends, but I bet Kyle has a TON of M&M s in that bus!
LOL Good Morning All!
-Mr. FLOAT-
Total Comments (3593)
I guess this proves that in the next two years or so there will be, maybe, four 'super-teams' and a handfull of also-rans.
Rickapolis
Annapolis , MD
Total Comments (6353)
You will see a lot of teams start to struggle. I have said several times already that I think there will be several teams that started this season as full time teams that won't make it to next season.
We have lost several longtime teams in the last couple years and more of the same may happen.
The only teams that I expect to be back in similar to current form will be JGR, RCR, HMS, RFR. and Penske, and Team Red Bull. (Speed may drive instead of Almindinger next year). Petty may have major changes as well.
Some of the smaller teams may not make it to next year.
Yates could be in serious trouble, DEI could be as well.
chapmaja@yahoo.com
Pinckney , MI
Total Comments (873)
I think you will start to see a lot of teams with multiple "HOOD" sponsors, in order to get exposure, but not having to shell out mega bucks.
-Mr. FLOAT-
Total Comments (3593)
Floatman = old saying,,,something is better than nothing,,Right??
SLY 1
Pompano, FL
Total Comments (2685)
Floatman = old saying,,,something is better than nothing,,Right??
SLY 1 | 07/20/08, 12:40 PM
Yea, put your Maxi Pads with wings on my hood!, I could come up with a catchy phrase to run with! LOL
-Mr. FLOAT-
Total Comments (3593)
I will say it again.........Walmart should ante up. They will take our fans money....bring some of it back to Nascar (cheap ****).
jackman....!
Draft A Qb, NC
Total Comments (8487)
Don't forget to watch Nascar confidential tonight on SPEED
8:00pm
shave the Busch
Total Comments (195)
Don't forget to watch Nascar confidential tonight on SPEED
8:00pm
Don't shave the Busch | 07/20/08, 01:57 PM
Dang it, stop--The Extended stay America does,'t get Speed,,,,I can't make up my mind what I miss most, My Wife or the Speed channel.
I last longer on the Speed Channel, HaHaha
-Mr. FLOAT-
Total Comments (3593)
I will say it again.........Walmart should ante up. They will take our fans money....bring some of it back to Nascar (cheap ****).
jackman! | 07/20/08, 01:32 PM
Yea, Put that Smily Faced Guy on my hood, I know Just where to plant it,, LOL,,, In the M & M rear section!
-Mr. FLOAT-
Total Comments (3593)
I'm tired of seeing thses stories. Scare tactic propaganda, I say.
NASCAR isn't going anywhere.
Archie_Bunker
Daytona Beach, FL
Total Comments (123)
Dario was a idiot for leaving open wheel. The sad thing is his owners Chip and Felix have more money combined. Than just about half the teams, they race against. Could easily floated the team a while longer trying to find a sponsor or at least finish the year with one of their business on the car.
Horn Fan 33
Ocala , FL
Total Comments (56)
Anyone leaving open wheel, or what ever, is Crazy,,,,,they can't compete with the Southern Boys!
Go Home Foreigner Drivers, we don't need or want you here.
P.S. If you have $$$$, just send it.
Night all
-Mr. FLOAT-
Total Comments (3593)
It doesn't matter how much money the owners have, If they know the sponsorship isn't coming why should they waste the money on a team?
The sponsorship problems are not just hitting NASCAR, but all forms of sponsored events, including local short tracks.
chapmaja@yahoo.com
Pinckney , MI
Total Comments (873)
It's not just the economy causing companies to rethink their sponsorships. Some companies are questioning if the return they get is worth spending $25 to $30 million to be a primary sponsor of a team.
Slick Ric is DaMoFo
Southern Pines, NC
Total Comments (1458)
Chin up, Franchetti! CHIN-UP! The compulsory cheap shades are hiding the sad eyes, but the quivering lips are a dead give-away!
YODA
Total Comments (16926)
Well, Ganassi, Penske, and Robby Gordon Motorsports are only in Nascar for the money anyway. I'm certain they will find other ways to support their IRL and Off-Road teams.
SoSadTooBad
Montross , VA
Total Comments (44)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.