NASCAR giving up beer; Busch Series to go Nationwide

NASCAR was a drinker and a smoker for decades until it gave up the cigs in 2003, trading Winstons for Nextel as title sponsor of its premier race series. Now it gives up beer with the Busch Series changing its name next season.

Beginning in 2008, Anheuser-Busch will relinquish its title sponsorship of the Busch Series to Nationwide Insurance. No financial terms were released by either NASCAR or Nationwide, but the 7-year-deal is rumored to be similar to the beermaker's at about $10 million per. The second-tier race series will be known as the NASCAR Nationwide Series beginning with the Daytona race February 16.

And don't forget that the Nextel Cup will become the Sprint Cup in 2008. Looks like lots of new t-shirts and bumper stickers to buy.

[Sources: AdAge, NASCAR]

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