SCENEDAILY.com’s Bob Pockrass reported Ford officials “had originally expected to switch from the Fusion to the Mustang" in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series for the '13 season, but they “recently switched gears and have opted to continue with the Fusion.” Ford, which races the Mustang in NASCAR's Nationwide Series, has raced the Fusion in the Sprint Cup Series since ‘06. Ford North America Motorsports Dir Jamie Allison Tuesday said, “We decided to have two brands in NASCAR -- one in Cup with Fusion and the Mustang in Nationwide. We believe that will be good with both brands, and we believe the fans will love what they will see.” Allison said that the ‘13 Cup car “will have brand identity for the Fusion” (SCENEDAILY.com, 7/20).
BRING IN THE CLOSER: In N.Y., Madden & O’Keeffe report MLB Properties counsel Nicholas Eisenman sent a letter to National Collectors Gallery President Danny Mulroy on Tuesday that “ordered the Ridgewood, N.J., firm to stop selling” engraved baseballs commemorating Yankees SS Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit by 5:00pm ET today. National Collectors Gallery “bought 100 Jeter-autographed baseballs from Steiner Sports, which is licensed to sell Yankee collectibles.” Steiner Sports Chair Brandon Steiner said, "We sold the balls to them. Plain, signed baseballs. Nothing with engraving." The letter from Eisenman “demands NCG stop selling the balls immediately” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/21).
IN THE KNICK OF TIME: The European Tour yesterday announced that Rolex has reached a deal with the R&A and the European Senior Tour to become the presenting sponsor of The Senior Open Championship. The event now will be known as The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex. The watchmaker also is a patron of The Open Championship and an official partner of the Ryder Cup (European Tour).
JOINING THE TEAM: Farmers Insurance yesterday announced that it has signed a two-year partnership with the Galaxy and The Home Depot Center that will place the insurance company’s brand inside and around the stadium. Farmers hosted 4,000 fans during last night’s Crew-Galaxy game to kick off the partnership. Farmers becomes the official insurance partner of the MLS team, and official founding partner and insurance company of The Home Depot Center (Farmers).
