Monster Energy "doesn't have a problem with Hendrick Motorsports taking steps to avoid using the Monster logo when its cars or drivers are not in the garage," according to Bob Pockrass of ESPN.com. Mountain Dew, which sponsors Hendrick, competes with Mutant, a soda brand from Monster, the new Cup Series title sponsor. Monster Energy VP/Sports Marketing Mitch Covington said, "They've got a good sponsor they need to take care of. We don't have any problem with Mr. Hendrick or his team or his drivers. We think they're great" (ESPN.com, 2/28).
LARGER THAN LIFE: The AP's Jenna Fryer wrote Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski "almost overshadowed" driver Kurt Busch's Daytona 500 win. Both are sponsored by Monster Energy, but it was Gronkowski who was out until 5:30am ET "following NASCAR's version of the Super Bowl." The mood was "mostly upbeat" at a company breakfast yesterday, and Monster was "as proud of Busch's victory as it was of Gronk's all-nighter." Covington noted that Gronkowski "had put in a 24-hour shift for the company." But Fryer wrote the fact that an NFL player could "steal thunder from the Daytona 500 winner is a problem NASCAR has to address." The big names are "getting old, and the sport is going to be in desperate need of some superstars very soon" (AP, 2/27).
