Official Announcement: Bud to GEM and Kahne in 2008
14 Comments Quote selected text Published September 18th, 2007 in NASCAR News
Budweiser announced Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne will become the next world-class racer to take the wheel of the iconic red Budweiser car when the 2008 Sprint Cup season kicks off in February. “Budweiser has a long and storied history with NASCAR and some of its most successful drivers. We’re excited about Kasey’s ability to add to that outstanding lineage,” said Tony Ponturo, vice president, global media and sports marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “Along with team owners George Gillett and Ray Evernham, we feel the pieces are in place for the #9 Budweiser Dodge to contend for NASCAR Sprint Cup championships for years to come.”
“The fan in me is thrilled because driving for Budweiser is the kind of opportunity you dream of when you break into this sport. I’m excited about getting behind the wheel of a car that’s been driven by some of the best this sport has seen,” said Kahne, who has seven wins, 31 top-fives and 46 top-10s in three and a half years on the Cup circuit. “We’ll be out to win races and championships, and everyone involved with our organization feels we can do that.”
“If Kasey’s proven anything in his young career it’s that he has the talent to be one of our sport’s most consistent winners,” said Gillett Evernham Motorsports co-owner Evernham.
“He’s already one of the most popular drivers on the circuit and only stands to benefit more from Budweiser’s track record for helping develop drivers with sponsorship activation that’s second to none,” added Gillett. Budweiser first sponsored a team on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series circuit in 1983, and in 1998, Budweiser became the “Official Beer of NASCAR,” cementing the brand’s place among stock car racing’s elite sponsors. Budweiser is also the sponsor of the Bud Pole Award in all NASCAR divisions, the title sponsor of the annual Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, the exclusive beer and malt beverage advertiser of the Daytona 500, and the “Official Beer Sponsor” of Daytona International Speedway, the Daytona 500 and the Pepsi 400. Throughout its history in NASCAR, the iconic Budweiser car has been driven by Terry Labonte, Darrell Waltrip, Bill Elliott, Ken Schrader, Ricky Craven, Wally Dallenbach Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
[GEM PR]
He doesn’t even look old enough to drink Coke………..it seems like a weird match up
This is GREAT for Kasey, I am happy for him, but sad for Dale Jr.
Kasey is a little cutie, and it is going to make the transition
from Bud #8 to Bud #9, especially for the folks with the tatoos!
You know, like the ones on the commercial about driver’s changing
their numbers. Good Luck Kasey and Dale JR!
KK is a very talented driver. Don’t judge him by the fact that he is 22 in points and did not make the chase.
I think in the long run it will be a good fit. Hopefull Kasey will
turn things around next year. He has been running better lately.
I have said it before and I will say it again BAD Choice / BAD Choice.
From a pure marketing standpoint this is a disaster.
He does not fit the product in any way shape or form…
Yes he MAY win races but no-one will associate him with the Bud Man image to sell their beer.
I drive a Magnum, I have special plates that read KAHNE. I am soooo excited that I get to add a Bud sticker to my car!! I can’t wait to see this car next year when I go to the races in CA. Great choice. Looks like June Bugs old car, just one number higher and a Dogde. LOVE IT!!
No more Bud-dud.
how about No-More Annoyance ???
Time for No-More Annoyance ???
Well Kenneth…so much for sticking to the subject matter.
Joe Maumee wrote:
I disagree. KK is a big hit with the ladies and the younger crowd. I imagine that comprises much of Nascar’s audience. Older folks have already decided what beer they like.
I like the choice. Kasey will do fine for Bud.
“Throughout its history in NASCAR, Budweiser has sponsored cars driven by Terry Labonte, Darrell Waltrip, Bill Elliott, Ken Schrader, Ricky Craven, Wally Dallenbach and Earnhardt Jr.”
It has been a very long time since Bud has enjoyed sponsoring a champion. I am sure I speak for the entire auto racing community in wishing them a return to glory!
Good Luck Kasey and Good Luck BUD!
I’m happy with Bud going to Kahne…at least they skipped DEI! I was worried that they would stay there and that would be sad. Kahne has had a really bad year but he is a good driver. Good luck guys!