Snickers, Mars considers ending Yates sponsorship
Quote selected text Published August 2nd, 2007 in NASCAR News
One might wonder if this Sunday in the Pennsylvania 500 marks the last time a No. 38 NASCAR Nextel Cup car emblazoned with brightly-colored M& Ms characters will compete at Pocono Raceway. There’s been NASCAR garage buzz recently that Mars Inc. Mars Snack Food U.S., the company that produces M& Ms in Hackettstown, is considering leaving Robert Yates Racing.
Yates, which fields the Ford that will be driven by David Gilliland on Sunday, has carried the M& Ms brand on the No. 38 since 2002, when Elliott Sadler came on board.
Sadler left the team after the 22nd race last year. Yates replaced him in the M& Ms car with Gilliland
When Dale Jarrett left Yates at the end of last year, he carried his long-time sponsor UPS with him to Michael Waltrip’s fledgling Toyota team.
Yates was hard-pressed to find a replacement sponsor for his second Ford. A two-or-more-car team is essential for success in today’s NASCAR.
Yates a veteran car owner and builder with 57 victories but only one since 2004, tearfully announced he was going to sell the team last November after UPS left.
But Mars came to the rescue with an 11th-hour bailout, sponsoring the second car for Ricky Rudd this year with its Snickers candy bar.
Rudd’s No. 88 Ford will be sponsored by Mars’ Combos snacks at Pocono.
Mars is reportedly still unhappy with the abrupt departure by the popular Sadler. Reports have leaked out that the program is under sponsor review.
Bookmark to:
- Yates eyes possible 3-car team
- Yates finds sponsor for the #88, will race in 2007
- Mars candy to sponsor Kyle Busch’s No 18 in 2008-UPDATE
- M&M’s to sponsor the No 18 car and Kyle Busch in 2008
- Yates planning to move to shop near Roush Fenway
This seems like sticky situation.
Have rousch move one of his sponsor’s over.
I’m pretty sure the new deal with Newman/Haas/Lanigan can spark up some sponsorship dough to help out…
How about Newman’s Own for a sponsor? The popcorn and salad dressings are a little pricey, but good. Actually I think most of the money, if not all of it, goes to charity. I’m sure this Hollywood legend will have no problems finding sponsors for his new venture. Go, Paul!
I agree with Nick B. They usually have good sponsors.
Mcdonalds! Just like Sea Bass has on his Champ Car!
I heard that M&M’s might be going to evernham! that would be sooo cool!!! #19 M&M’s Dodge! =) GO SADLER!
No they claim if M&M’s goes to Everham it will be on the #9, it’s in their contract that they can’t follow sadler to another team if til after their 2008 contract is up with Yates.
check Jayski.com
im sure the participating parties would be more than happy to come to an agreement…