GM Undecided On Renewal Of Long-Standing Daytona Sponsorship

GM's Sponsorship Deal With Daytona Int'l Speedway Has Been In Existence Since The '70s

GM "has not decided whether to renew a decades-long sponsorship" of Daytona Int'l Speedway (DIS) and the Daytona 500, "despite the deal's expiration in three weeks," according to Robert Snell of the DETROIT NEWS. DIS Manager of Media Relations Andrew Booth said that GM has a multi-year agreement that ends December 31 to "serve as the official car and truck provider of the speedway and the Daytona 500," which is scheduled for February 15. Booth: "I know we've had some talks with them but right now, we are continuing to explore opportunities." Snell notes the Daytona sponsorship dates back to the early '70s. GM "provides fire and safety vehicles, pace cars and other vehicles for use" during the Daytona 500, as well as the Coke Zero 400 in July. GM did not disclose how much it spends on the Daytona deal or NASCAR sponsorships. This year, GM "has sponsorships at 12 tracks that feature NASCAR events, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, though three of those sponsorships have not been renewed." Chevrolet also is the official vehicle of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevy Rock & Roll 400 held in September at Richmond Int'l Raceway, and that sponsorship "expires next year" (DETROIT NEWS, 12/12).

BIG THREE FALLOUT: NASCAR Chair & CEO Brian France said that NASCAR "could survive a Big Three pullout, but given his sport's already precarious financial state, he'd rather not have to find out if he's right." SI's Mark Beech writes even in NASCAR's "best-case scenario -- the bailout works and the Big Three are able to continue in racing -- some 2009 races will likely have fewer than 43 entries, and some of the cars that do show up will likely run without sponsorship" (SI, 12/15 issue).

DRIVING FORWARD: In Orlando, Steven Cole Smith reports the economy is the "hot topic" at the 21st Annual Performance Racing Industry trade show at the Orange County (FL) Convention Center. But if "show attendance is an indication of how the economy is affecting the motorsports industry, things don't appear to be that grim." Though a few exhibitors, such as Toyota, "dropped out of this year, more than 170 companies are exhibiting in Orlando for the first time -- for a total of more than 1,400 companies." Drag racer Tony Sheffler said, " I'm surprised at the level of activity I'm seeing here" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/12).