NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon will sport a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles paint scheme on the No. 24 Sprint Cup Series car during the Oct. 13 Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway as part of a "partnership between Gordon, AARP, AARP Foundation and Nickelodeon's Helping and Leading Others program on Drive to End Hunger," according to Brian De Los Santos of CBSSPORTS.com. Gordon said, "To have a cool car like this, I know the kids are going to be excited about it. ... My kids, that's all we DVR, that's all we watch is Nickelodeon programming" (CBSSPORTS.com, 9/20). Gordon noted the partnership includes the launch of a "new PSA that is about battling senior hunger." Gordon’s car will feature ninja turtle Leonardo, his “favorite” turtle ("NASCAR Now," ESPN2, 9/20). YAHOO SPORTS’ Nick Bromberg noted Nickelodeon, “which currently airs the third incarnation of the animated series, is sponsoring the pre-race festivities at the track” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/20).
RISKY BUSINESS: SI.com’s Cary Estes wrote the "bigger obstacle” in the potential return of suspended NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger may not be finding a team but "convincing sponsors to financially support a car driven by Allmendinger.” Most sponsors "flee from controversy,” and Allmendinger's on-track record “certainly does not help his cause -- he is winless in 169 Sprint Cup starts.” Sponsors “might forgive a mistake made by an established winner, but they have no desire to attach their name to a tainted driver who has yet to prove he is worth the gamble” (SI.com, 9/20).
