[vincesanity82]

Hendrick Motorsports officials announced today that long-term contractual commitments to existing sponsors will not allow Budweiser to continue as primary sponsor of the car driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. when he joins the organization next season.
"We have agreements in place with sponsors for the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season which prevent us from having a relationship with Budweiser," said team owner Rick Hendrick. "Honoring our commitments is important to us. The trade-off is missing an opportunity to bring Budweiser, a marquee brand synonymous with NASCAR and its fans, into the fold."

On June 13, Earnhardt Jr. signed on to race for Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2008, but primary sponsorship of his team remains undecided. No timetable has been established for an announcement.
"To climb into that red Budweiser car each weekend has always been a privilege," Earnhardt Jr. said. "Although Budweiser and I will be unable to continue our partnership beyond this season, I remain committed to driving for Bud the rest of this year and will continue to make it my beer of choice. I'm a race-car driver. All I can do is drive as hard as I can for my fans and sponsorship partners and give my best effort each weekend."
Budweiser executives say the company does plan to continue competing as a sponsor of the red Bud car in the sport.
"Budweiser has sponsored Dale Jr. for nearly a decade, and we wish him the very best," said Tony Ponturo, vice president of global media and sports marketing for Anheuser-Busch Inc. "Budweiser will remain an active sponsor of NASCAR, and we look forward to building upon the legacy of the iconic Budweiser red car in 2008 and beyond."


Earnhardt Jr. won't be driving the Bud car in '08

[jks812]

I think Bud will stay at DEI. Not surprised they not going with Jr. Hendrick has said all along that he had sponsors he was committed to.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

"Honoring our commitments is important to us.

Earnhardt Jr. won't be driving the Bud car in '08

That sounds funny coming from Hendrick. I guess his commitments don't include drivers.

[LADY3]

WHAT ARE THEY THINKING??? I don't know who to blame Bud or Hendricks. SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON. I'm in shock. Is it really the truth that Hendricks does'nt have room for another sponsor or is Budweiser just giving up on Dale? Soneone help me understand this.

[LADY3]

Originally Posted by jks812

I think Bud will stay at DEI. Not surprised they not going with Jr. Hendrick has said all along that he had sponsors he was committed to.

I think Hendricks need a good swift kick in the pants.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by LADY3

WHAT ARE THEY THINKING??? I don't know who to blame Bud or Hendricks. SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON. I'm in shock. Is it really the truth that Hendricks does'nt have room for another sponsor or is Budweiser just giving up on Dale? Soneone help me understand this.

I dont know, im confused as well, I guess bud has other plans..

[LADY3]

Its not right, its just not right, and I'll never ever get used to it.
Hendricks should replace a sponsor. Budweiser and Dale are an icon. When you think of one you think of the other. SO SO SO SAD

[LADY3]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

I dont know, im confused as well, I guess bud has other plans..

Maybe I'm just to close to the sport, and I take it just a little to personal, but Budweiser and Hendricks are making a HUGH mistake in my opinion.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

Hendrick Motorsports officials announced today that long-term contractual commitments to existing sponsors will not allow Budweiser to continue as primary sponsor of the car driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. when he joins the organization next season.
"We have agreements in place with sponsors for the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season which prevent us from having a relationship with Budweiser," said team owner Rick Hendrick. "Honoring our commitments is important to us. The trade-off is missing an opportunity to bring Budweiser, a marquee brand synonymous with NASCAR and its fans, into the fold."

On June 13, Earnhardt Jr. signed on to race for Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2008, but primary sponsorship of his team remains undecided. No timetable has been established for an announcement.
"To climb into that red Budweiser car each weekend has always been a privilege," Earnhardt Jr. said. "Although Budweiser and I will be unable to continue our partnership beyond this season, I remain committed to driving for Bud the rest of this year and will continue to make it my beer of choice. I'm a race-car driver. All I can do is drive as hard as I can for my fans and sponsorship partners and give my best effort each weekend."
Budweiser executives say the company does plan to continue competing as a sponsor of the red Bud car in the sport.
"Budweiser has sponsored Dale Jr. for nearly a decade, and we wish him the very best," said Tony Ponturo, vice president of global media and sports marketing for Anheuser-Busch Inc. "Budweiser will remain an active sponsor of NASCAR, and we look forward to building upon the legacy of the iconic Budweiser red car in 2008 and beyond."


Earnhardt Jr. won't be driving the Bud car in '08

I hope that doesnt mean kelloggs will be dales new main sponser..

[Pepsi One]

Originally Posted by LADY3

WHAT ARE THEY THINKING??? I don't know who to blame Bud or Hendricks. SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON. I'm in shock. Is it really the truth that Hendricks does'nt have room for another sponsor or is Budweiser just giving up on Dale? Soneone help me understand this.

One, when HMS says theirs no room I think they are lying, because if they were all booked up why are they continuing to negotiate with Pepsi and Monster....I think Bud bailed because they were'nt willing to pay the steep price it will cost to sponsor Junior, and this is a great move by HMS, Junior might keep his number but now you gotta go buy all new merchandise! Where's the mistake in that!

[JG24]

This through me off, when i see Bud anywhere i think of Dale Jr, and when i see Dale Jr anyway, instantly Bud comes to mind!

[Mike24]

This will actually be a good business move for Dale Jr and Hendrick Motorsports. Dale Jr can now focus on the younger audience, where he couldn't do that with Budweiser. The funny thing is we are finally seeing the true Jr fans and the true DEI fans.

[jks812]

The day they made the announcement he was going to Hendrick, one of the reporters asked about Bud. Hendrick said then he had sponsors that he was already obligated to. I don't think Bud not wanting to pay the money was the problem. I think it was just that he went to a team that already had sponsors.
Bud has said they are looking at 4 drivers but they may stay with DEI, depending on who she hires.

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by jks812

The day they made the announcement he was going to Hendrick, one of the reporters asked about Bud. Hendrick said then he had sponsors that he was already obligated to. I don't think Bud not wanting to pay the money was the problem. I think it was just that he went to a team that already had sponsors.
Bud has said they are looking at 4 drivers but they may stay with DEI, depending on who she hires.

Budweiser goes a long way back with Hendrick. When Budweiser left Hendrick in 99 or 2000, they were having some difficulties causing them to part ways. I'm sure Budweiser and Hendrick didn't forget that either.

[bears9]

Who's Going to sponser Dale Jr. now?