Furniture Row Racing has hired NASCAR driver Kurt Busch to drive the team's No. 78 Chevy for the '13 Sprint Cup Series. Busch, who has been with Phoenix Racing since the beginning of the '12 season, will replace Regan Smith (Furniture Row Racing). SPEEDTV.com's Tom Jensen wrote, "It has been a challenging season for Busch, who is ranked 25th in Sprint Cup points." Furniture Row "had been rumored to be in line to become the factory Dodge team next year, but with Dodge withdrawing from NASCAR, it is likely the team will remain with Chevrolet” (SPEEDTV.com, 9/24).
BRANCHING OUT: M&C Saatchi CEO David Kershaw said that the agency is “considering rolling out its Sports & Entertainment division into Brazil, as the country gears up to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.” BRAND REPUBLIC's Ben Bold noted the M&C Saatchi sports division “currently has operations in the UK, Germany and Australia." Kershaw said that M&C Saatchi was “also looking at South Africa" (BRANDREPUBLIC.com, 9/24).
LENDING A HAND: In Ft. Lauderdale, Donna Gehrke-White notes Dolphins WR Davone Bess “will partner with South Florida-based BankUnited to promote youngsters’ financial literacy with the second annual 4 Downs for Finance." One essay winner will be announced during each Dolphins game, and "will win an autographed football by Bess." A grand-prize winner "will be chosen from the weekly winners and will meet Bess and receive $1,000" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 9/25).
