The fallout from M&M’s statement that it was “disappointed” in the actions of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch over the weekend was discussed by a roundtable of analysts yesterday on ESPN’s “NASCAR Now.” ESPN’s Marty Smith asked, “When does M&Ms, his sponsor, step in and say, ‘It’s us or nothing?’” Smith noted Busch has had several disciplinary and controversial issues this year in non-Sprint Cup events, “so at some point I guarantee you that conversation will be had.” ESPN’s Johnny Benson said, “Every sponsor that’s on those cars are going to have an opinion on what’s going on, so that definitely is going to have an impact.” ESPN’s Ricky Craven said the statement by M&M’s “is a reflection of the economic times … and that you are a representative. You’re not just a race car driver.” Smith noted, “Great drivers are hard to come by. But in this current climate, money’s harder. You can find another driver. It’s hard to find more money. I hope it doesn’t get to that point for Kyle Busch.” Craven: “There has to be a day of reckoning, and I think we’ve crossed that. … If you lose the confidence of your peers, if you lose the confidence of your sponsor, I don’t care how talented you are. You’re in big trouble” (“NASCAR Now,” ESPN2, 11/7).
GET THE BLOOMIN' ONION: In Charlotte, Jim Utter noted Stewart-Haas Racing is “adding yet another sponsor to its lineup on the No. 39 team driven by Ryan Newman.” Sources said that Outback Steakhouse will “serve as primary sponsor on the No. 39 in at least two Sprint Cup Series races in 2012.” A formal announcement of the sponsorship addition is expected Friday (CHARLOTTE.com, 11/7).
