Wheels & Deals: NASCAR Could Use Fresh Face Of Danica Patrick

Patrick Could Bring Sponsors Back To NASCAR If She Makes Move

In Orlando, Tania Ganguli writes NASCAR "needs Danica Patrick," because she would "elevate fan interest and excitement, and bring money and a powerful appeal into the all-boys club." Patrick's presence "wouldn't turn around the economy and bring back sponsors in droves," but the country's "most popular female racer and its most popular motorsport would give it a jolt of positive publicity." Patrick could become a "competitive NASCAR racer in a few years' time," and once she "figures out the stock-car racing thing, she will be one of NASCAR's biggest stars" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/24).

NEED FOR SPEED: Carfax has signed on to title sponsor the August 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Michigan Int'l Speedway. The Carfax 400 will mark the first time the company will title sponsor a Cup event. Carfax also will title sponsor the August 15 Nationwide Series Carfax 250 at the track, and the races collectively will be marketed as the “Show Me the Carfax Race Weekend” (Carfax).

NO MORE QUESTIONS: Ask.com President Scott Garell said the company has seen "very strong results" from its first year as an official NASCAR sponsor. A Brand Image study shows that among NASCAR fans, Ask.com usage is up 12%, awareness is up 43% and positive impressions up 14% (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE, 7/23).

NOTES: Food Network chef Guy Fieri will sponsor Tommy Baldwin Racing's No. 36 Toyota driven by Mike Skinner for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Allstate 400. Fieri's logo will be featured on the hood of the No. 36 car (THE DAILY)....Vaseline Men Lotion has signed on as the primary sponsor of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's No. 1 Chevy driven by Martin Truex Jr. for the Sprint Cup Dover 400 on September 27 and the Turns Bring It On 500 on October 25 (SCENEDAILY.com, 7/23).