Wheels & Deals

NASCAR, Sponsors Awaiting Decision In AT&T Lawsuit

ESPN.com’s Marty Smith said if AT&T wins its lawsuit against NASCAR, “it could change sponsorship in NASCAR forever. Nextel would feel then that their sponsorship would lose value. If [NASCAR] wins, we may have a situation where NASCAR sponsorships change as well. The court may come in and say, ‘Hey, pick one or the other.’ It’s a landmark case” (“NASCAR Now,” ESPN2, 5/16).

CHECK IT OUT: Bank of America is launching NASCAR-themed checking accounts, in which fans can get the NASCAR logo on their checks, debit cards and statements. BofA spokesperson Joe Goode said that the bank is “previewing the new product in Charlotte before a nationwide launch next week” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/16).

HORSING AROUND: With the Colts rejecting PDM Racing Owner Paul Diatlovich’s plans to paint his No. 18 car in the team’s colors with “Go Colts” on the side panel for the Indy 500, in Indianapolis, Bob Kravitz writes he cannot take PDM’s side in the “little-guy-against-the-self-important-money grubbing-corporate-behemoth story.” Kravitz adds while he “can understand why Diatlovich would be angry,” the Colts “have to protect their sponsors” (INDY STAR, 5/17).