National Guard to pull out of NASCAR, IndyCar sponsorships

[unhappycamper]

http://www.stripes.com/news/national-guard-to-pull-out-of-nascar-indycar-sponsorships-1.297046

http://www.stripes.com/polopoly_fs/1.297049.1407378923!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/large_article/image.jpg

In this file photo from early March 2008, NASCAR fans wait in line to have their photo taken with Nevada Guardsmen and the National Guard car at a recruiting display at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

National Guard to pull out of NASCAR, IndyCar sponsorships
By Jenna Fryer
The Associated Press
Published: August 6, 2014

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The National Guard said Wednesday it will end its sponsorship of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and IndyCar's Graham Rahal, but it is not clear when that goes into effect.

~snip~

Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, said in a statement he learned of the guard's decision on Wednesday. He called it disappointing news "given the significant incremental brand exposure we have worked to produce for the National Guard in our first season together, including various off-track marketing and advertising programs focused on supporting the mission set forth."

The guard said in a statement posted on its website it spent $32 million on its NASCAR sponsorship and $12 million on its IndyCar sponsorship this year, and noted that "sports sponsorships have played an important role in helping the guard build strong brand awareness." But, the guard statement said its sponsorship contracts in NASCAR and IndyCar "are set to expire at the end of the current season," which contradicts the Hendrick claim.

"Significantly constrained resources and the likelihood of further reductions in the future call for more innovative and cost-effective ways of doing business," Maj. Gen. Judd H. Lyons, acting director of the Army National Guard, said in the statement.

[House of Roberts]

1. As a racing fan, I want to see the teams get sponsors,

but I never thought this was a good use of taxpayer dollars. I also never thought it was an effective recruiting tool.

The Letterman in Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is the Dave Letterman, for those that don't follow the sport.