NASCAR Nationwide Series Begins with the 2008 season
Quote selected text Published October 3rd, 2007 in NASCAR News
NASCAR announced that Nationwide Insurance will become title sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, replacing Anheuser-Busch’s Busch brand at the start of the 2008 season. Nationwide Insurance will also become the official auto, home and life insurance provider of NASCAR.
The seven-year agreement gives Nationwide Insurance the exclusive rights to tie its brand to the most popular form of motorsports in the U.S. Nationwide Insurance will enjoy the support of the most brand-loyal fans in all of sports, including 2.7 million who annually attend races of the series, which features 35 points events at 26 tracks across North America, including Mexico City and Montreal.
“We are thrilled that we had the opportunity to select a partner in Nationwide Insurance who is as excited as NASCAR about taking the NASCAR Nationwide Series to even higher levels of popularity,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “Nationwide Insurance is an ideal partner for NASCAR, advocating safe driving, and already serving millions of NASCAR fans with its auto, health, and life insurance. The company has a real passion for NASCAR, which will benefit our fans and all the participants in our industry.”
“Nationwide is excited about this long-term partnership and recognizes that NASCAR has the most loyal and dedicated fan base of any sport,” said James Lyski, Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “We look forward to putting tremendous energy and resources into supporting this sponsorship and advancing the profile of the NASCAR Nationwide Series.”
The NASCAR Nationwide Series, broadcast on ESPN2 and ABC is stronger than ever. The series is the third highest-rated regular-season sport on cable television. Viewership in 2007 to date vs. 2000 is up 52%. The 2005 and 2006 seasons were the most viewed in series history.
Nationwide Insurance, which will generate approximately $200 million in annual media exposure through its sponsorship, is already serving millions of NASCAR fans with auto, home, and life insurance. Nationwide Insurance has had a partnership with track operator Speedway Motorsports Inc., for the past eight years, providing “On Your Side” information guides, transportation services and fan pit stops.
“Nationwide is a company that helps consumers plan for their futures, so they can achieve their dreams,” Lyski said. “The NASCAR Nationwide Series provides a unique environment for Nationwide to extend its On Your Side brand promise, not only to race fans, but to the next generation of outstanding NASCAR drivers pursuing their dreams of competing at the highest level.”
NASCAR fans are more likely to feel loyal towards an insurance company that is a sponsor, according to the ESPN Sports Poll. Additionally, NASCAR fans are more likely to have automobiles, be homeowners, and have children in the household, according to Simmons National Consumer Survey research.
[NASCAR]
SCHEDULE:
Date Track
Feb 16 Daytona
Feb 23 California
Mar 1 Las Vegas
Mar 8 Atlanta
Mar 15 Bristol
Mar 22 Nashville
Apr 5 Texas
Apr 11 Phoenix
Apr 20 Mexico City
Apr 26 Talladega
May 2 Richmond
May 9 Darlington
May 24 Charlotte
May 31 Dover
Jun 7 Nashville
Jun 14 Kentucky
Jun 21 The Milwaukee Mile
Jun 28 New Hampshire
Jul 4 Daytona
Jul 11 Chicagoland
Jul 19 Gateway
Jul 26 ORP
Aug 2 Montreal
Aug 9 Watkins Glen
Aug 16 Michigan
Aug 22 Bristol
Aug 30 California
Sep 5 Richmond
Sep 20 Dover
Sep 27 Kansas
Oct 10 Charlotte
Oct 25 Memphis
Nov 1 Texas
Nov 8 Phoenix
Nov 15 Homestead-Miami
Bookmark to:
- Richmond Nationwide race bumped from ESPN on Friday
- Sauter to drive for Phoenix In Nationwide Series in 2008
- Phoenix Racing announces Nationwide and Sprint Cup plans for 2008
- Roush Fenway signs 12-race Nationwide sponsor
- Gibbs names Nationwide Series sponsor
Dang, that’s going to be weird… Instead of Busch-Wackers… Nationwide-Wackers. Um… no.
So… Nascar Winston Cup Series/Nascar Busch Series - (2003)
then Nascar Nextel Cup Series/Nascar Busch Series (2007)
now Nascar Sprint Cup Series/Nascar Nationwide Series(2008)
oughta make Bruton happy..all SMI tracks, or so it seems, have nationwide sponsored everything.
This sport is so screwy now.
I’m still calling it the busch series.
I don’t care what anyone says, haha
I call it the little guys. That seems to make it easy. But I’m glad someone is willing to pick up the bill!
I call it the minor leagues
I call it an erasing of tradition and history. Heck I still call Nextel the Winston Cup when im talking.
Well that concludes my thoughts on switching all our insurance to Nationwide since with this new announcement it was also announced that Geico has two years to get out of town. Mike Wallace can’t win. I will not use Nextel/Sprint wireless I will continue to use Alltel or switch to AT&T. If these companies can’t compete with competitors then they need to find other ways to promote their products and services besides in racing. This idea of being the exclusive sponsor is about to get out of hand. I wonder did Brian France have Nationwide on his side when he did that hit and run in his Lexus back in February!
The cavemen and lizard are on the ropes. Warren Wallace might have to make his move soon.
WHATEVER!!!
Can we just RACE???????????????
Still cracks me up that the only NASCAR series with international races will be called the Nationwide series!
It’s Loren Wallace. They even did a special on him on Speed!!!
On Speed channel, I don’t mean the kid was on speed…
But he is a pretty cool kid I think!!