Pennzoil gone...may stay as an assoc

[Ward Burton]

Pennzoil gone...may stay as an assoc: Dale Earnhardt Inc. officials are looking for a company to replace Pennzoil as the sponsor of the No.1 car after this season, a team official said Sunday. Pennzoil's contract expires after the season, and the company will not renew that contract. Ty Norris, executive vice president of motorsports at Dale Earnhardt Inc., says that the group is talking to Pennzoil about remaining as an associate sponsor on the No.1 car along with those of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip.(Roanoke Times)
AND DEI's No. 1 team will lose Pennzoil after this year, and Kraft had emerged as a possible replacement. Kraft already has associate deals with the three DEI teams, but team president Ty Norris said he does not expect Kraft to go too far too fast. "They step up their program every year," he said. "It's one thing to take a step, and it's another to take a running leap to a Winston Cup primary. We've talked to them about it. Right now they're pretty happy with the program they have. It makes sense for them financially, and they're comfortable with their level of spending right now." As for anything DEI might have going for the 1 car as of now, Norris said, "You look at it cold, medium, hot, I'd say we're pretty cold right now."(Speed Channel)(7-14-2003)

 

[redrock]

Seems strange that DEI would have any trouble finding a sponsor; but maybe it's because they don't really have a driver lined up for that seat.

 

[Happy29]

I'm thinking John Andretti, Hank Parker Jr , Sam Hornish or Scott Riggs to be in the 1. They'd sure make that sponsor happy with their performance on the track.

 

[bowtie]

I would like to see Hornish or Riggs in that car.

 

[Ward Burton]

What do you guys think the new sponsor will be? Will it be KRAFT?

 

[97forever]

I thought Kraft had a deal with Roush in the works?

 

[Ward Burton]

Maybe, but DEI is talking with them. I bet Kraft has ride for 2004.

 

[Parkfan]

I think this pretty much makes it official Sam Hornish won't be driving the #1 car in 2004. No way would Pennzoil leave if their IRL driver was moving into that ride.

 

[24and12Fan]

I'll say it'll be Kraft with Scott Riggs

 

[Ward Burton]

Originally posted by 24and12Fan@Jul 14 2003, 04:16 PM
I'll say it'll be Kraft with Scott Riggs

That seems reasonable.

 

[DirtyMo1381529]

Originally posted by 24and12Fan@Jul 14 2003, 06:16 PM
I'll say it'll be Kraft with Scott Riggs

That would be awesome...

I think that Hank Parker is gonna end up in the Chance 2 busch car wtih Kraft full time next year. I really hope that the driver of the 1 car is Scott Riggs. I think it's going to be hard to find full time primary sponsor from now on. I think that the future of sponsorship is going to end up being like 4 companys sponsoring a car for 6 to 12 races each or something.