Michael Waltrip Racing Sponsors Continue to React to Richmond Fallout

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In: NASCAR Cup Series News

It’s no surprise that there were sponsorship repercussions for the three Michael Waltrip Racing teams who were involved in the melee at Richmond International Speedway, in which the organization attempted to manipulate the outcome of the race to get MWR driver Martin Truex Jr. into the Chase for the Sprint Cup via the actions of MWR drivers Clint Bowyer and Brian Vickers. It was the final race before the Chase lineup, consisting of 12 drivers, was set.

MWR was levied the largest fine in NASCAR history at $300,000 in addition to being docked points and having Truex removed from the Chase, but that wasn’t the hardest hit they took.

NAPA Auto Parts, who has been synonymous with the MWR organization since 2001, was the first to react to the controversy. NAPA pulled their title sponsorship of the Truex team after signing a three-year contract extension last year, which was estimated to be valued at $16 million per year according to the SportsBusiness Journal.

In their public statement, NAPA said, “NAPA believes in fair play and does not condone actions such as those that led to the penalties assessed by NASCAR.”

Aaron’s, the title sponsor for Brian Vickers, has already committed to remaining with the organization for 2014.

5-Hour Energy, the title sponsor on Bowyer’s car, however, had a different reaction. 

They have not decided whether they will proceed with 2014 sponsorship at Michael Waltrip Racing yet but, in conversation at this weekend’s race at New Hampshire, 5-Hour Energy’s president Scott Henderson allegedly implied that they were less worried about the actions of their team and more concerned about the integrity of NASCAR itself.

With NASCAR president Brian France’s unprecedented decision to expand the Chase to 13 drivers to accommodate Jeff Gordon, France set the precedent that the organization had the authority to alter their program as they see fit. 

While Henderson’s sentiment is somewhat of a surprise reaction in comparison to the other two title sponsors, it makes sense. Marketing partners want their teams to be up front, period.

Winning may not be a make-or-break factor in their marketing decisions, but if a sponsor can’t depend on the overall system to provide a fair outcome on the track and off then why participate at all?

5-Hour Energy is expected to make a decision on moving forward with MWR and Clint Bowyer at the end of the season. 

Kristin Swartzlander
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