One of the most recognizable advertising tandems in NASCAR, Dale Ernhardt Jr. and Budweiser, are on the outs. When Jr. split from DEI in favor of Hendrick Motorsports, virtually any chance of this dynamic duo staying together vanished due to Hendrick's existing contracts. Hendrick's other big NASCAR stars, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, have endorsement deals with another advertising juggernaut, Pepsi. Jr. seems to be genuinely disappointed that he couldn't keep Bud, and with good reason. Some of the very best ad gurus on the planet work for Budweiser, and many feel that's a main reason why Jr's such a popular figure. Then again, he has his legendary father's name working for him, too, which obviously helps. As Jr. points out to the Chicago Tribune, Bud also throws the best parties and events, which is a great bonus for a single driver in his 20s. Details of Jr.'s next primary sponsor are still being worked out.
[Source: Chicago Tribune]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Viv @ Jul 14th 2007 12:01PM
Pepsi's deal with Hendrick Motorsports is exclusive to Jeff Gordon. He doesn't share with Jimmie Johnson. Pepsi or one of their multitude of products will sponsor Junior next year. Gatorade or Mountain Dew is where my money will lie.
geo.stewart @ Jul 14th 2007 12:22PM
I doubt Gatorade. I'm guessing Mountain Dew and its variants with Red, AMP, and MDX or SoBe with its many variants from health to Energy.
And dont forget that with the end of the personal contract as well, there is opportunity for the sponsor to do stuff with his JR Motorsports as well.
George Stewart @ Jul 14th 2007 12:28PM
not to mention that Junior could just take over the Kellogg's car, depending on the sponsorship there. though that car is currently Kellogs/Carquest and Junior will get a major sponsor so Kellogg's would have to step it up.
Viv @ Jul 14th 2007 1:06PM
I doubt it would be Kelloggs. THeir sponosorship is currently in the 15-18 million range. I heard in a lot of places that the Pepsi deal could be for as much as 30 million. I am thinking maybe the Kelloggs sponsorship will move to the 25 of Casey Mears. National Guard only does their deals on a one year basis and with the current budget climate they might not stick around as a primary sponsor.
Will @ Jul 14th 2007 3:26PM
the Pepsi deal is not exclusive to Jeff Gordon, they have smaller deals with all other teams...but the deal also keeps any other drink from being a sponsor of another Hendrick car. they will end up sponsoring Jr full time next year with several of their drinks (not just one) being on the car throughout the year
David @ Jul 14th 2007 12:06PM
Earnhardt's in his 30s - born in 1974.
J.Crew @ Jul 14th 2007 12:11PM
Oh no, the link between drinking and driving will be lost on all of us! I guess I would only turn left all the time if I was drinking Bud and driving for 400 or 500 miles too...
Viv @ Jul 14th 2007 12:21PM
Another idiot who doesn't like NASCAR yet he will the one of the first in every NASCAR related post.
Viv @ Jul 14th 2007 12:26PM
Another idiot who doesn't like NASCAR yet he will the one of the first in every NASCAR related post.
J.Crew @ Jul 14th 2007 12:57PM
Oh no, the link between drinking and driving will be lost on all of us! I guess I would only turn left all the time if I was drinking Bud and driving for 400 or 500 miles too...
whofan @ Jul 14th 2007 12:29PM
Now JR can drink Pabst Blue Ribbon and learn what good beer is suppose to taste like.
I`m happy for him.
Travis Rassat @ Jul 14th 2007 12:53PM
I've always wanted to raid Jr.'s fridge to see what he actually drinks... I bet he drinks Guiness with a Budweiser can coozie... :)
thesawzall @ Jul 14th 2007 2:24PM
Maybe now I can actually wear some of his apparel. I'm a fan of his, but refuse to be a walking beer ad. And thankfully it sounds like Sony won't be the one either, which is great cause I refuse to be a walking DRM ad too.
Tom @ Jul 15th 2007 7:03AM
This is one of those stories has has me scratching my head because I wonder...WHO CARES?? Jr. is THE most overrated driver in Nascar. Other than having a famous dead father and tons of money from endorsement/sponsorship deals, Jr has done nothing on his own to warrant any attention.
Brad Kempeny @ Jul 15th 2007 11:11AM
I totally agree. Sad to say that being a huge Earnhardt Sr. fan. I don't think Jr really takes the racing seriously anymore. He realized he could make more money doing advertisements for Bud and decided to make his fortune that way and put serious racing on the back burner.