ESPN.com's Bob Pockrass reported Joe Gibbs Racing "has locked in primary sponsor Mars for the next several years." Mars, "mostly through its M&M's brand," has sponsored JGR's No. 18 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car driven by Kyle Busch since '08, and the extension carries through '18. Specific terms "were not announced," but Mars is "expected to continue as primary sponsor for 32 of the 38 yearly events." Busch is "signed with the team through at least" '17 (ESPN.com, 11/17).
SAM I AM: The spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix Int’l Raceway is getting a new name. RV ownership group Good Sam will be title sponsor for the '16 race. Good Sam’s sister company, Camping World, held entitlement rights this season. In '14, the race was called The Profit on CNBC 500, playing on the reality series featuring Good Sam and Camping World Chair & CEO Marcus Lemonis. Camping World will continue to title sponsor the fall Chase race at Talladega. The spring Phoenix race, which began in '05, had been entitled by Subway from its inception through '13. PIR last week also announced a new title sponsor for its fall race (THE DAILY).
TAG OUT: AUTOSPORT.com's Parkes & Rencken reported watchmaker Tag Heuer is to "bring to an end its 30-year association with McLaren" after the current F1 season and "switch to rival Red Bull." McLaren "confirmed the split." Tag Heuer has been "featured on the team's cars" since '85, and its decision to join forces with Red Bull draws "into question that team's partnership with Casio." The loss of Tag Heuer is the "latest sponsorship blow" for McLaren, as the team has "been without a primary sponsor" since Vodafone departed after the '13 season (AUTOSPORT.com, 11/17).
