Mars, Inc. condemned Kyle Busch's post-race actions on Sunday, saying starting a fight with Joey Logano and Logano's pit crew was "not consistent with the values" of the company, according to FS1's Alan Cavanna. Busch started the physical altercation following the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Mars in the statement said, "While we are disappointed with the situation, we hope the drivers and team members involved learn from this experience and continue to grow as professional athletes representing the sport." Mars' M&M's brand has been the primary sponsor on Busch's No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota since '08 (“NASCAR Race Hub,” FS1, 3/13). Mars "dropped its primary sponsorship of Busch for the final two races" of the '11 season after he "intentionally wrecked Ron Hornaday Jr. under caution at Texas Motor Speedway in a Camping World Truck Series race" (NBCSPORTS.com, 3/13). Senior NASCAR execs yesterday said they did not believe either Busch or Logano would be penalized for their role in the fight.
NEVER MISS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY: NBCSPORTS.com's Daniel McFadin noted TMS President Eddie Gossage’s marketing and social media teams have "milked the fight for all its worth to promote its April 9 O’Reilly Auto Parts 500." Gossage said, "We already have an email blast out, ‘Busch vs Logano, Logano vs Busch,’ that kind of thing. It’s kind of funny, but it happened so we’re going to have a little fun with it." Gossage then "joked he already has a new billboard campaign in the works." Gossage: "The new campaign is: ‘There will be blood'" (NBCSPORTS.com, 3/13).
