While some NASCAR cars have “virtually constant sponsors, such as Lowe’s and Napa,” many other cars, such as “those driven by Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Clint Bowyer and Joey Logano, will feature more of a piecemeal approach” during the '12 Sprint Cup season, according to Nate Ryan of USA TODAY. Sponsor renewals and signings “seem to be rebounding," but the price points have "declined as fewer companies are making the $15 million to $20 million commitments that some teams were commanding at NASCAR’s peak several years ago.” Stewart-Haas Racing's Ryan Newman will “represent eight primary sponsors in 36 races” for his No. 39 Chevy. Newman said, “It is easier to have one color and one number.” NASCAR Senior VP & CMO Steve Phelps said of the multiple-sponsor approach, “Absolutely, I think it hurts. A casual fan watches a race with a car number and paint (scheme) with a particular sponsor and they watch the next race and it’s a different color.” Phelps said that NASCAR’s sponsor services staff had “worked with teams to show companies the value of full-season sponsorships and caution there could be diminishing returns” (USA TODAY, 2/16).
NEW WHEELS: SCENE DAILY’s Bob Pockrass reported driver David Reutimann will be in BK Racing's No. 93 Toyota for the Daytona 500. BK Racing "bought equipment as well as obtained the points from Red Bull Racing." The team is owned by former TRG investors. It also owns Burger King franchises and is "expected to have the restaurant's logos on the hood." Reutimann has already committed to drive 26 Sprint Cup races for Tommy Baldwin Racing, but the Daytona 500 was not included (SCENEDAILY.com, 2/15).
