NASCAR signs 4 premier partners to sponsor Cup Series
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- NASCAR has signed Busch Beer, Coca-Cola, Geico and Xfinity as its "premier partners" in a change to its traditional sponsorship model.
Starting next year, the premier series will be known as the NASCAR Cup Series and will not feature a title sponsor. Winston, Nextel, Sprint and most recently Monster Energy have served as the entitlement sponsors for the stock car racing series.
"This has been a monumental year for our sport, one highlighted by significant changes in our business model to ensure long-term viability and growth," NASCAR president Steve Phelps said of Thursday's announcement. "As we begin this new chapter, we are joined by four incredible brands with deep-rooted histories across all levels of our sport. We are honored to have this elite group represent our NASCAR Cup Series for years to come."
All four of the premier partners will be featured in multiple platforms across the sport, including integrations in broadcast, NASCAR digital and social channels, event entitlements, in-market promotions and at-track activations. The four companies will also have a presence in the championship race and the All-Star Race.
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Winston was NASCAR's first non-automotive major sponsor, and the tobacco company helped grow the regional racing series into a national brand over a 33-year relationship. The series was the Winston Cup Series until the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company ended its sponsorship in 2003.
Nextel replaced Winston to form the Nextel Cup Series, and that became Sprint after the two telecommunications companies merged. The series has been the Monster Energy Cup Series the past three seasons.
When Monster decided to end its entitlement role, NASCAR decided to change its sales structure and move away from one presenting sponsor. The final model -- announced Thursday, hours ahead of the season-ending awards ceremony -- simply features the four premier sponsors in all signage and most NASCAR markings.
"This new model will provide our premier partners with a heightened level of integration and visibility across all aspects of our sport," said Daryl Wolfe, NASCAR executive vice president and chief sales and operations officer. "Each of these partners have demonstrated their commitment to our brand-loyal fan base, and we are excited about how these brands will elevate the NASCAR Cup Series."
Busch Beer returned as an official NASCAR partner in 2018 as sponsor of the Busch Pole Award, which will continue. Busch Beer will also sponsor a yet-to-be-announced Cup race in 2020. Anheuser-Busch's history in NASCAR dates to 1978, when it first sponsored the Busch Pole Award, and Busch was the "official beer of NASCAR" from 1988 to 1997 as well as a longtime sponsor of the second-tier national racing series.
Coca-Cola has been involved with stock car racing for 50 years and became a NASCAR official partner in 1998. Coca-Cola will continue its sponsorship of NASCAR Troops to the Track and NASCAR Salutes, the portion of the season focused on highlighting industrywide appreciation of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Coca-Cola will also continue to own race entitlements at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway. Additionally, Coca-Cola becomes the presenting sponsor of the NASCAR Cup Series' regular-season championship trophy.
Geico is already NASCAR's "official insurance provider" and will be the presenting sponsor of a season phase.
Comcast's Xfinity brand signed a 10-year partner agreement in 2015 as title sponsor of the second-tier Xfinity Series. Xfinity will maintain its Xfinity Series sponsorship and will sponsor the elimination race to set the championship field at Martinsville Speedway.
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Darius Rucker to perform before '20 Daytona 500
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Three-time Grammy Award winner Darius Rucker will perform a prerace concert before the Daytona 500 in February.
It will be Rucker's fourth appearance at Daytona International Speedway and first at the "Great American Race," the NASCAR Cup Series season opener. The 500-mile race is scheduled for Feb. 16.
Track president Chip Wile says Rucker's appeal "is massive, encompassing fans of both rock and country music, making him a perfect fit for fans" at Daytona.
Rucker was the Hootie & the Blowfish frontman until venturing into country music as a solo artist in 2008. He has since released five albums and notched nine No. 1 singles on country radio, earning him induction into the famed Grand Ole Opry in 2012.
Hootie & the Blowfish returned to the road in 2019 for their Group Therapy Tour and released "Imperfect Circle" last month, their first new album in nearly 15 years.
Rucker twice performed at Daytona before the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in July (2002, 2010). Hootie & The Blowfish took part in the Dale Earnhardt Tribute Concert in 2003.
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