Mountain Dew, Amp Energy Drink, National Guard to sponsor Dale Earnhardt, Jr in the No 88
Quote selected text Published September 19th, 2007 in NASCAR News
Mountain Dew AMP Energy and the Army National Guard will sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr. when the popular stock-car driver joins Hendrick Motorsports for the 2008 Sprint Cup Series campaign, it was announced Wednesday at the Dallas Convention Center. Earnhardt, who helped design his two primary paint schemes and red car-number graphic, will drive the #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolets next season. The cars will see racing action for the first time in February during season-opening Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway.
“To be able to announce our new sponsorship partners, car number and paint schemes for 2008 is a big relief for me, and I know it is for my fans as well,” said Earnhardt, 32, winner of 17 Cup-level races and two NASCAR Busch Series championships. “This year has been full of major decisions and changes, and I’m really happy with the outcome. We are aligned with powerful brands, Mountain Dew AMP Energy and the National Guard, each with traits that everybody can identify with. And we are racing with a number that’s very relevant to me, the #88. It’s hard not to already be excited for the 2008 season.”
Pepsi-Cola North America, the maker of Mountain Dew AMP Energy, has been involved in racing since NASCAR introduced its premier division, now known as the Nextel Cup Series, in 1949. Mountain Dew was the lead sponsor on Darrell Waltrip’s championship-winning Cup entries in 1981 and 1982. The Mountain Dew AMP Energy sponsorship will provide opportunities for driver-branded products and prominently feature Earnhardt’s image in television, radio, print and online advertising, along with at-track activation and in-store marketing.
Mountain Dew AMP Energy is charged with an energizing blend of B-vitamins, taurine, caffeine, ginseng and guarana geared to help keep consumers focused and in control. “Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of the most popular athletes in the world and his talent is as big as his following,” said Dawn Hudson, president and CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America. “Mountain Dew’s racing heritage runs deep and in many ways it is the original energy drink. AMP is the next evolution of Dew and now it’s entering a new exciting chapter with Dale. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be partnering with Dale, Hendrick Motorsports and the National Guard. We look forward to joining them in victory lane.”
The oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States, the National Guard has a longstanding dual mission: to provide the states with units trained and equipped to protect life and property, while serving the nation with units ready to defend the country and its interests around the world. An active NASCAR sponsor for more than five years, the National Guard’s racing initiative focuses on three primary areas: recruiting, retention and branding. The Guard also leverages its program by honoring exceptional soldiers through NASCAR-focused recognition programs. “Dale Jr. is the real deal,” said Lt. Gen. Clyde A. Vaughn, director, Army National Guard.
“He is authentic, talented and focused on victory, which mirrors what America’s National Guard Soldier is all about. Every mission, every time America calls on us, whether at home or abroad, victory is the only goal that matters. We are proud to be partnered with PepsiCo, a great American company that has done so much for the Soldiers of the National Guard, and Rick Hendrick, a NASCAR icon who knows how to win. It is an honor to be a part of one of the greatest teams in the greatest sport in America.”
Both sponsors of the #88 Chevrolets are established Hendrick Motorsports partners, as 2008 will mark PepsiCo’s 12th season with the organization and the National Guard’s second. “Having a pair of sponsors like Mountain Dew AMP Energy and the National Guard supporting the #88 team is just unbelievable,” said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, who has scored a NASCAR-best 161 Cup-level victories since 1984. “It’s a fantastic combination that fits Dale Jr.’s personality and will allow him to be successful at Hendrick Motorsports for many years to come. We have terrific sponsors, talented people and sharp-looking cars, so we think Dale Jr.’s fans can really get excited about the future. Now that we’ve got everything set for 2008, there’s a lot to look forward to.”
With 65 wins and 52 poles since 1949, cars carrying the #88 have started 1,264 Cup-level events with multiple drivers, including Earnhardt’s legendary grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt. The number is currently campaigned by Yates Racing, which has released it for the 2008 season.
[Hendrick PR]
Bookmark to:
- Report: Mountain Dew and Amp Energy Drink to be Earnhardt, Jr’s sponsors-UPDATED
- Dale Jr merchandise for new team & number already on sale-UPDATE
- National Guard a possible sponsor for Dale Jr in ‘08
- Earnhardt, Jr to reveal sponsors and car No. next Wednesday-UPDATED 2
- Mountain Dew the front-runner to sponsor Earnhardt Jr. in 2008
i lost the bet about the # but the cars looked good!
the cars look good!
Whoopee!!!! Can we please talk about some racing now that this is all settled? Or will Jr Nation come up with some other moronic detail of Jr’s life that doesn’t involve this season to prattle on about?
PLEASE POST THE VIDEO OF THE NEW CONFRENCE I CAN NOT STREAM NASCAR.COM FROM WORK!
Jeff wrote:
I’m sorry Jeff is some one forcing you to read these articles and post on the blogs
BFDracing wrote:
We’re looking for some video to post now.
i dont care what car jr drives i think he is great and i will stand by him all the way
It seems a little anti-climatic since it has been the source of a hundred rumors and stories the last two weeks.
But, Now it is official.
I don’t like the paint schemes at all…. think they look like poop.
gkirb wrote:
Nobody is forcing me to read anything, but I have to wade through this drivel on every site to find any kind of legitimate news, race analysis, etc… It’s just a sponsor and a number (and a fugly looking car, if you want my $0.02 on the subject).
Does anyone actually care about what happens on the track? We’re talking about a driver that hasn’t been to victory lane since May ‘06 and hasn’t been a legit threat for the cup at all this year! Y’all are aware that there are 12 guys fighting for the Cup right now, right? They’re still running races, despite Jr’s exciting weekly press conferences!
Jeff wrote:
You do not have to read the articles about him and really do not have to read the post. I don’t read anything about KB.
Well, nobody seemed to care about him and he had few post.
Sam wrote:
Once more (just in case you missed it the first time) I said nobody is forcing me to read, but it sure is an annoyance to have to weed through a bunch of blabbering about “june bug” (dumbest nickname of all time, BTW). It’s especially annoying when it’s largely speculation.
The difference here being that there was what… 3 or so total posts about Kyle? One post saying he was gone, one or two detailing potential suitors, and a final one saying he was going to Gibbs? It didn’t capture the blogging nation and gum up every NASCAR site out there for weeks on end.
Again, there’s a lot of good racing going on out there, and plenty to talk about (specifically - people that are consistently running at the end of races, and thusly running for a championship).
Someone teach junebug how to tuck in his shirt.
and I agree with you Jeff about the racing and the nickname.
The june-meister is a celebrity………he farts and his fans say…’cool, JR farts just like me! He’s so real.’
YESH!!!! I missed the confernce, but I’m glad he has the 88. People owe me alot of money!!!
Jeff wrote:
True, but you seem to keep posting here, which is confusing. you didn’t need to click on the “read more” link
Nash wrote:
Nash has a good point.!
Jeff wrote:
All I am saying is you are in control of your mouse, scroll past the JR. articles if your not a JR. fan and don’t want to read them. The Jr. fans injoy these articles and like to Blog about them. That is what this site is for, to read things about NASCAR and it’s drivers and post out thoughts, If a story bothers you ignore it and don’t post on it then everyone will be happy. Peace!
Did anyone see the speculated paint schemes either on a website or Wind T., don’t remember where they were at.
They all looked better than what came out today.
Hopefully they will look alot better doing the victory burn out! No more excuses and wait till next year.
LMAO! wrote:
Listen internet tough guy……we will do what ever we choose. If JR fans can’t take a little debating, maybe they should actually finish school and get some help thickening their skin.
Who do think slams JG or Tony or JJ? JR fans.
Do JR fans comment on Teresa stories? All day long!
then stop complaining about all the jr articles.
Not from you!
LMAO! wrote:
You have never seen a post where I slam either of those drivers. as a matter of fact you can see many post that are very good.
Like the number, think the paint schemes are UGLY!!! The one that was speculated about was much better. But that’s ok at least he’s got a chance for some wins and a championship now, guess it doesn’t matter if you win in an ugly car as long as you win!
Kenneth - ARS Editor wrote:
Thank you!
So.. you like to read JRs articles and then complain about all the people who like JR???? And you are surprised when Jr fans get mad? HMMMM. Interesting.
you got issues ANON… plain and simple you need to seek help. i see nothing against the rules in the post you quoted and all i see is excessive b**ching and moaning from you (like always) grow up already
Touchy arn’t we, I was just posting my opinion on Jeffs blog and his reply to me. BTW it says spirited debate is encouraged, not mandentory. As for accepting other PPL’s opinion when have I ever accepted anyones opinion, I might not agree with it, I might even “debate” it but I have always accepted it as there opinion. seems to me that “you” are taking this personaly. Chill out!
I ment to say when have I ever “NOT” accepted anyones openion. Having red face now lol
Honestly the paint schemes look horrable! And the switching of sponsorship from week to week is just a bad thing as identity goes…Jr. fans will be spending 2 and 3 times the moola just to keep up from week to week as far as memorabilia goes. I’m a Kenseth fan myself and he does have multiple sponsorships but everyone recognizes him as the Dewalt guy, gonna be kind of hard determining Dale on the track.
I don’t see anything on this thread that’s against our rules.
Debates such as this when people are passionate about their driver, etc…is bound to ruffle feathers and heat up an argument. All we ask is to have some respect for each other. Most of the time that is what happens here and that’s what we want.
If someone calls you a name or is inappropriate let ME handle it. Don’t get off topic and start ranting about someone’s behavior…just tell me and it’ll be handled.
If there are some that have really thin skin for this type of stuff then, to be honest, go elsewhere.
Remember everyone…this isn’t world peace, curing a deadly disease or stopping terrorism. This is RACING! It’s not that big a’ deal.
Ok…the Editor is done now ranting himself…back to the debate!
LMAO! wrote:
“LIsten internet tough guy”? sounds to me like your the one talking tough!
If you would have read and quoted every thing I said in that blog you would see how silly you sound. Please show proof of were I have slammed any other driver! as for teresa yes I have commented on a few of the articles about her but I have tryed to do it with some respect for everyone on here. I have the right to state my opinion on any article or blog on this site (inless Kennith doesn’t want me to) but I’m smart enough that if I read the headline and dont want to here anything about it not to open it and read it and if I do get into a story that I don’t care about I’m not going to waist my time or anyone else’s time posting a complaint about it!
I believe AMP is the primary sponsor though, and around less than half
will be National Guard. So it shouldn’t be too hard to notice
his car. I’m excited as hell though! AMP party at school today
was AWESOME
GO JUNIOR!
Mountain Dew was the lead sponsor on Darrell Waltrip’s championship-winning Cup entries in 1981 and 1982
Wasn’t Dale SR the winston cup champiuon in 81?????????
Joe Maumee wrote:
Sam and gkirb are good at that.
Joe Maumee wrote:
Maybe if he ever actually wins a championship, the Nation will not have their panties in such a bunch.
JG fans just say….4 trophies baby!
Sorry kenneth and every one else for posting a reply to a non - JR. fan that has caused so much needless squabeling.
Joe Maumee wrote:
This is your verson of respectable? Is it any better?
He did his own talking. Why?
I really don’t think I get off topic. My favorite topic is JR. #88 baby!!
LOVE THE CARS JR COOL PAINT JOB..
LOVE THE CARS JR COOL PAINT JOB.. CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU IN THEM
As far as JRs talking goes, he has more sponsers than any other driver in NASCAR and they don’t seem to have a problem with his talking.
On the track earnings $45 million. I think he has done a good job taking care of his step mom. We have not even spoken about merchandise sales. From some of the articles I have read he had one of the worst splits in nascar.
Joe Maumee wrote:
I missed this post before. It is actually pretty funny!
gkirb2,
Somthing is missing tonight! It is way to peaceful on the blog. Maybe it is someone that is missing?
Sam
Anon?
I wonder why they, Hendrick and Jr went with the color green for Amp when they can also go with the Amp colors of Red and Silver.
I was some what disappointed in the paint schemes and hope and pray the car, cars Jr race better than they looked today.
Of course, everyone has their own thoughts on paint and what goods, GOOD, but I was drawn to the green on white and blue on white.
Lets say this, It’s not a car I’ll go back to take a second look at again if walking by at the track. Not an eye catcher or eye candy.
Those cars are seriously ugly. I hope they didnt actually pay someone to design that mess. I could do better in about 15 minutes. Heck most 5th graders got more imagination than that. At least Kasey Kahnes car looks good.
Sam wrote:
He does? You have some kind of numbers to back that up? Seems to me that I see Stewart in just as many commercials and see him hocking just as much junk as JR: Old Spice, Chevy, Subway, Home Depot, Banquet, Coke, etc… So he sells a lot of shirts and die-cast. That doesn’t seem to translate into championships if you ask me!
BTW, I’m not a Jr hater… I like him just fine. I’m just a realist.
OK, lets say stewart has just as many as JR….so! I look it up but I don’t have time today. He has 17 or 18 sponsers.
His on the track earnings have been all over the news you can ck. those if you like. The point was 1) Jr has made lots
of money for DEI, teresa has benifited from it. 2) Jr continues to get more sponsers and his speech does not seem to slow him down.
I am a realist as well.
To add to this last point , I remeber seeing on tv that Jr.s team had 20 sponsors under contract and that they had turned down over 100. I cant believe someone would let a sponser magnet like that get away. But I guess her and Max have all the answers. We’ll see.