Insurance Premium

NASCAR has completed its nine-month search for a title sponsor to its No. 2 series, officially announcing that Nationwide Insurance has signed a seven-year deal to replace Busch at the start of the ’08 season. In addition, Nationwide, which is expected to spend about $20M annually on rights fees and activation, becomes the official auto, home and life insurance provider of NASCAR, replacing Allstate. Similar to when NASCAR brought on Nextel to title sponsor its Cup series, the Nationwide deal presents a conflict at the team level, and Geico has two years to phase out its sponsorship of Phoenix Racing’s No. 7 Chevy.

Don’t Tread On Me
Bridgestone/Firestone inks three-year deal with NFL making it league's first official tire.

Empty Feeling
Red Wings, Avalanche failing to sell out home openers leads day two of THE DAILY’s NHL season preview.

Big Hurt
Columnists rip Frank Thomas’ performance on TBS' MLB playoff coverage, but see potential in Cal Ripken Jr.

Charging Forward
Oceanside City Council nixes plan to build Chargers stadium, citing project cost; team turns focus to Chula Vista.

Driving Business
Chip Ganassi Racing already fielding bids from international sponsors seeking spot on Dario Franchitti’s No. 40 Dodge.

Lions Share?
Team tells Detroit radio station to stop using brand name for postgame show.