The AP's Steve Reed reported Roush Fenway Racing has turned to Cavaliers F LeBron James’ agent Maverick Carter to "help in the marketing" of African-American driver Darrell "Bubba" Wallace, who recently signed to "compete full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this year. The organization is "still looking to find him a sponsor." RFR President Steve Newmark "believes that's only a matter of time, calling Wallace marketable." Newmark: "We think there's a lot of creative opportunities to do some really crossover promotions with Bubba." Newmark said that "part of the problem finding a sponsor for Wallace is that he didn’t sign until November" (AP, 1/28).
ON A FULL RIDE: Richard Petty Motorsports CEO Brian Moffitt yesterday announced that a new sponsorship deal with beverage Twisted Tea "will ensure" that Sam Hornish Jr. will run the entire Sprint Cup season in the No. 9 Ford. ESPN.com's Ryan McGee noted Hornish "has replaced" Marcos Ambrose in the car (ESPN.com, 1/28).
LICENSE TO DRIVE: The AP reported HScott Motorsports will "expand to two full-time Sprint Cup Series cars this season by adding Michael Annett," who joins Justin Allgaier as drivers for second-year team owner Harry Scott Jr. Annett "will be funded by his longtime sponsor Pilot Flying J," while Scott "brought sponsorship from Brandt Professional Agriculture to the No. 51 for Allgaier" (AP, 1/27).
PIECING THINGS TOGETHER: Leavine Family Racing yesterday announced an extended sponsorship with Thrivent Financial for the '15 Sprint Cup season. Thrivent will be the primary sponsor on the No. 95 Ford driven by Michael McDowell for 10 races and an associate sponsor for another 10. Thrivent will kick off this season Feb. 22 as the primary sponsor on the No. 95 for the Daytona 500. Thrivent will be McDowell's primary sponsor for Cup stops at Daytona, Bristol, Indianapolis and Charlotte (Thrivent)....Tommy Baldwin Racing has signed an agreement with Toy State as a primary sponsor for its No. 7 car, beginning with the Daytona 500. The agreement covers the first five races of the Cup season. In addition to car graphics, all driver/team apparel and signage will bear the logo of Toy State and its subsidiary, Nikko, along with Toy State's redesigned Road Rippers brand (Toy State).
