[jks812]

KFC could lick competition for Busch title sponsorship

Officials say no timeline set on sponsor selection process

By Sporting News Wire Service
April 30, 2007
02:11 PM EDT
KFC has emerged as one of the leading candidates to take over title sponsorship of the NASCAR Busch Series, sources say. Subway remains a factor as well, putting two quick-service restaurants in the mix despite a crowded category.
Checkers/Rally's, Domino's Pizza, Burger King, Arby's and McDonald's are among the team sponsors and NASCAR partners currently in the sport.
Several other companies have moved in and out of negotiations with NASCAR and ESPN sales officials, who are working in tandem to sell the title. The deal is expected to cost the new title sponsor an average of about $30 million a year, about three times what Busch has been spending.
Anheuser-Busch said in December that it would end its sponsorship after a 25-year run.
Yet another dark-horse candidate, Dish Network, could still emerge, sources say, but NASCAR's existing relationship with DirecTV would seem to make that a long shot. DirecTV, which broadcasts HotPass, is NASCAR's official satellite TV partner.
NASCAR's top marketing brass will not comment on specific candidates.
Spokesman Andrew Giangola said some conversations are further along than others because of the logistical challenge of getting corporate executives in the same room.
NASCAR is not following a timetable, other than the pursuit of a partner before the end of the 2007 season, Giangola said.
Sources also say that NASCAR is pitching at-track rights to prospective sponsors, something that wasn't part of Busch's package. Busch, for example, has not enjoyed certain promotional rights at tracks where a competitor had official beer status. That might change if NASCAR can work through conflicts.
KFC is one of five restaurants owned by Yum! Brands of Louisville, Ky.
It's uncertain if any of the other brands -- Taco Bell, Long John Silver's, A&W All-American Food and Pizza Hut -- might be included in the sponsorship.
KFC's relationship with NASCAR goes back 20-plus years when it was a sponsor for Junior Johnson's teams. The restaurant chain has been in and out of the sport since the 1980s, picking up part-time Nextel Cup and Busch sponsorships along the way.
Most recently, in 2004, KFC sponsored Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Busch car as part of a deal that included Taco Bell and Long John Silver's. During that sponsorship, Earnhardt became the first person other than Colonel Sanders to have his image on a KFC bucket of chicken. KFC sold more than 9 million buckets during that promotion.
Yum! Brands also has a presenting sponsorship in another form of racing -- the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands -- a five-year deal that began last year and brought Yum's name to the fore for the first time. It marked the first presenting sponsorship ever sold for the iconic horse race.
Subway has been involved with NASCAR through Nextel Cup race titles at Phoenix and Martinsville, Va., and, going back to 2002, titled the spring race at Rockingham, N.C.

[LSC9901]

The new KFC Trophy will have a statue of Jimmy Spencer on it to best reflect what KFC is famous for.

[SteelPhoenyx]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

The new KFC Trophy will have a statue of Jimmy Spencer on it to best reflect what KFC is famous for.

Just as long as he isn't in a Speedo!

[wingkey1]

The 'ol chicken chokers' delight!

[Souporscotty]

Would they call the races "Chicken Run"?

[SteelPhoenyx]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

Would they call the races "Chicken Run"?

Better than chickens***...

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

Would they call the races "Chicken Run"?

...and the victory dance the "Chicken Dance" or is it "Rooster Strut"???

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by SteelPhoenyx

Just as long as he isn't in a Speedo!

Have you been reading some of my past postings???

[SteelPhoenyx]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Have you been reading some of my past postings???

Yes... I have.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by SteelPhoenyx

Yes... I have.

Scarey .... Huh ???

[SteelPhoenyx]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Scarey .... Huh ???

Oh, very!

[Quality88]

Oh this would spawn so many jokes.....

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Oh this would spawn so many jokes.....

Does the winner of the championship get a peak at the secret recipe?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Does the winner of the championship get a peak at the secret recipe?

Shhhhhh .... don't tell anyone. It's breaded dressing and ..... chicken

[wingkey1]

Pretty sure I saw today that KFC has pulled back from sponsorship discussions.

Can't for the life of me retrace my steps and find it again.

If true, suppose one might say they chickened out.