Hopefully all is good with the Army and DSR.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...jr-losing-national-guard-as-sponsor/13700789/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...jr-losing-national-guard-as-sponsor/13700789/
Hopefully all is good with the Army and DSR.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...jr-losing-national-guard-as-sponsor/13700789/
The government has out clauses in their contracts because it is unknown whether or not congress will approve the budget each year (typical they only have 1 year deals). HMS will need a new sponsor next year because the government isn't sending them a check.From HMS:Our team has a contract in place to continue the National Guard program at its current level in 2015. We have not been approached by the Guard about potential changes and plan to honor our current agreement."(Hendrick Motorsports)(8-6-2014)
There is no 2015 deal for Dale Jr & HMS with the Guard. The PR release by HMS was probably a last ditch effort to try and save the sponsorship. Panther Racing no longer exists, finally sold all their equipment not that long ago. I thought John Barnes was suing Rahal, not the Guard? Either way this is bad timing for both Rahal and HMS. Most companies are usually finalizing 2015 budgets right about now. I think HMS will find something to fill the quarter panels on the 88, but they'll probably sweat it out for a bit. RLL is the one that I'd be more concerned about.
Isn't that Sherwood's line?...I think the party is over.
It's another sign of the state of auto racing in general.
Right now many different forms of racing from stock car to drag racing are trying very hard to figure out why this is happening.
There is no question that the economy is part of the problem but the elephant in the room that no one really wants to talk about is the lack of interest on the part of fans and participants in everything from stock car racing, drag racing, professional golf, and even things like professional hockey!! I like to look at car counts at big events and that should tell you something about the direction things are heading in. There are still some events that draw full fields but the problem is the rest of the events.
You better believe that sponsors also see this happening and are wondering if the money they are spending might be better spend in different things.
Many on this forum have voiced their opinion with the N.H.R.A sometimes getting bumped on TV for professional or even college football.
It's just my opinion but I believe peoples interests are changing in how they want to spend their time and money right now.
Personally I hate to see this happening but when I look at how it is to find sponsors willing to step up and fund racing teams and how many great drivers are sitting on the sidelines because of a lack of funding it kind of scary!!
Jimbo
http://www.nostalgicracingdecals.com
If the government says no such thing exists, how do you think this will play out? Again, the Guard has out clauses in their deals that allows them to pull the funding at the end of every year and use the excuse that congress doesn't approve the funding anymore.Paul, and you know for sure that the contract for 2015 hasnt been signed?
I agree the big check for NASCAR is ridiculous too, but at least Dale Jr. is probably one of the most well known names in all of motorsports. The whole deal is just a terrible waste of money in my opinion. Its not like the military needs name recognition---I believe most of the population is aware of its existence.Are you glossing over the $32M/yr for Junior's team in NASCAR? This all with what they call no real bump in recruitment, especially since many transition from active military to the Guard with no recruitment necessary. That terrible and marketing term "brand recognition" became the only real return.