What Sponsors Want

Thats amazing. I knew parts of the story, and now I know a lot more. I would like to hear the story of Gordons role in discovering JJ's talent.
 
All due respect to Michael Waltrip & Jimmy Means, seems if you have the right level of charisma & personality, that may be all it takes to land & then maintain a huge sponsor.
 
Restrictor Plate King! said:
All due respect to Michael Waltrip & Jimmy Means, seems if you have the right level of charisma & personality, that may be all it takes to land & then maintain a huge sponsor.
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It's all about exposure, and presentation, Mikey gets the word out a lot, and does good adds.
 
Restrictor Plate King! said:
All due respect to Michael Waltrip & Jimmy Means, seems if you have the right level of charisma & personality, that may be all it takes to land & then maintain a huge sponsor.
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There was a time when there was nearly a surplus of potential sponsors for the Winston Cup Series. Miles Labs wanted exposure in NASCAR and they approached NASCAR explaining what they were looking to accomplish. NASCAR "suggested" teams they felt might be a fit for them. Remember, this was a time when a primary sponsorship with a team like RCR might cost $5 to $7 million annually and an independent like the #52, slightly less than $1 million.

That deal worked out well for Miles Labs. In 1988 or '89, there was a contest conducted during the season that ended about the time of the fall Rockingham race. It gave fans across the country the opportunity to vote on which car number they accurately identified with the primary sponsor from memory.
The powder blue #52 with chrome numbers got the highest percentage. Independent team #52 owned by Jimmy Means, with Alka-Seltzer as primary sponsor, got more correct recognition than, (gulp) the #3!

And no, before anyone asks, the contest questions were not slanted to favor either Alka-Seltzer or Jimmy Means. It astounded the best advertising agencies. Everybody recognized the powder blue, #52!
 
I remember a few years back when NASCAR denied "Redneck Junk" as a sponsor. I wonder if they would let them in today?
 
SST55 said:
JJ has charisma??? Whoda thunk!
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lol It's about the last word I would use to describe JJ's public persona. "He's very quiet and reserved. He rarely says anything controversial and tends to blend in with the back ground. But he sure has charisma".
 
What do sponsors want in a driver? That's easy!

They want someone with the bedroom eyes of Kasey Khane, the megawatt smile of Richard Petty, the rugged handsomeness of Harry Gant, the broad shoulders of Ryan Newman, the lean lines of Clint Bowyer, the on-camera abilities of Jeff Gordon, the winning percentage of Jimmie Johnson and the popularity of Joonyer.

In a word, not much...
 
robbybee said:
What do sponsors want in a driver? That's easy!

They want someone with the bedroom eyes of Kasey Khane, the megawatt smile of Richard Petty, the rugged handsomeness of Harry Gant, the broad shoulders of Ryan Newman, the lean lines of Clint Bowyer, the on-camera abilities of Jeff Gordon, the winning percentage of Jimmie Johnson and the popularity of Joonyer.

In a word, not much...
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Or Danica Patrick - whichever comes along first.
 
FenderBumper said:
Thats amazing. I knew parts of the story, and now I know a lot more. I would like to hear the story of Gordons role in discovering JJ's talent.
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I know that Gordon first saw JJ run at a practice session or tire test (dont remember which) at Darlington. He was impressed with how he ran the track and went over to talk to him to discover it was his first time there. Gordon then went to Hendrick and told him he should get this guy. Hendrick told him to put his money where his mouth is...thus Gordon is co-owner. I also know that Gordon played a big part in securing the Lowes sponsorship.
 
Gordon_Fan24 said:
I know that Gordon first saw JJ run at a practice session or tire test (dont remember which) at Darlington. He was impressed with how he ran the track and went over to talk to him to discover it was his first time there. Gordon then went to Hendrick and told him he should get this guy. Hendrick told him to put his money where his mouth is...thus Gordon is co-owner. I also know that Gordon played a big part in securing the Lowes sponsorship.
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Thanks GF. I always heard it was while racing JJ, and my question was always in what series?

Tire test. Gordon has a damn good eye.
 
FenderBumper said:
Redneck Junk? I doubt nascar will ever let in a sponsor touting the genetalia of southern men.
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Can't see where that would be a problem, and thats where I has my Earnhardt Sr tatoo.
Very impressive to the little southern redneck women too, makes 'er get crossed eyed, grit her tooth, and say geterdone!
(note some parts of posts fictional).
 
Greg said:
Can't see where that would be a problem, and thats where I has my Earnhardt Sr tatoo.
Very impressive to the little southern redneck women too, makes 'er get crossed eyed, grit her tooth, and say geterdone!
(note some parts of posts fictional).
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lol 'geterdone'. Everyone loves a little rubbin, bumpin and bangin.
 
FenderBumper said:
Thanks GF. I always heard it was while racing JJ, and my question was always in what series?

Tire test. Gordon has a damn good eye.
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i recall reading/hearing that jeff saw jj racing somewhere in a different series but not racing against him. then brought his name up with hendrick. any detectives out there?
 
SlowNeasy said:
i recall reading/hearing that jeff saw jj racing somewhere in a different series but not racing against him. then brought his name up with hendrick. any detectives out there?
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It was at Darlington while testing....
 
Greg said:
Can't see where that would be a problem, and thats where I has my Earnhardt Sr tatoo.
Very impressive to the little southern redneck women too, makes 'er get crossed eyed, grit her tooth, and say geterdone!
(note some parts of posts fictional).
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It's folks like you that makes me Proud to Be Southern :D

( Next time please highlight your disclaimer..."note some parts of posts fictional")
 
FenderBumper said:
Thats amazing. I knew parts of the story, and now I know a lot more. I would like to hear the story of Gordons role in discovering JJ's talent.
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Qoute from 2002 interveiw with Jeff Gordon:

Q, Why did you select Jimmie Johnson as your driver?

Jeff Gordon,
" I got a chance to race with Jimmie in the Busch Series. I guess I'm glad I ran those two years in the Busch Series because I was able to meet Jimmie and get to know him and also get to see him drive the race car. It appeared to me like you put this guy behind a top-notch team and car in the Winston Cup circuit that he would get a lot out of it. He seemed like a smart driver, he certainly proved that this year, by Hendrick Motorsports putting good equipment underneath him and him going out there and getting the job done. I'm proud of the whole effort because basically (it was a) brand new team the end of last year, when it ran a few of the races, (and) for them to come into this season with a lot of new individuals on the team and a rookie driver, a fairly new crew chief, and to come out and be as prepared as they've been and to be as consistent as they've been and then run the way that they have has really been amazing to watch and I'm really proud to be a part of the team that's come together."


Good Choice.
 
FlFlash said:
Qoute from 2002 interveiw with Jeff Gordon:

Q, Why did you select Jimmie Johnson as your driver?

Jeff Gordon,
" I got a chance to race with Jimmie in the Busch Series. I guess I'm glad I ran those two years in the Busch Series because I was able to meet Jimmie and get to know him and also get to see him drive the race car. It appeared to me like you put this guy behind a top-notch team and car in the Winston Cup circuit that he would get a lot out of it. He seemed like a smart driver, he certainly proved that this year, by Hendrick Motorsports putting good equipment underneath him and him going out there and getting the job done. I'm proud of the whole effort because basically (it was a) brand new team the end of last year, when it ran a few of the races, (and) for them to come into this season with a lot of new individuals on the team and a rookie driver, a fairly new crew chief, and to come out and be as prepared as they've been and to be as consistent as they've been and then run the way that they have has really been amazing to watch and I'm really proud to be a part of the team that's come together."


Good Choice.
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This is the story that was stuck in the back of my mind. Thanks Fl.
 
I could of swore that I heard Jeff say in an interview they both first met at Darlington...go figure lol
 
Gordon_Fan24 said:
I could of swore that I heard Jeff say in an interview they both first met at Darlington...go figure lol
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I remember hearing that also...maybe that was when he first approached Johnson about driving for Hendrick?
 
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