Dale Jr. Sponsor?

[LMITOUT]

Last night on Wind Tunnel, Darrell Waltrip was a guest and they were discussing the Jr. situation. Sponsorship was brought up and DW doesn't believe that Budweiser will be with Jr. next year, but he said it'll be a "beverage" and it won't be in a red can.

Now I know Gordo has Pepsi as a secondary sponsor at times, but I wonder if that would be it? Geez I hope not. Pepsi is terrible and I think it would hurt some of his fanbase. I think having Bud as a sponsor just goes hand in hand with Jr.'s personality and the fans like that.

Any thoughts?

[boatfixer]

Jr is one of the best marketing machines out there, just being who he is. What have I missed?, why would bud not keep with him

[fishing tech]

Isn't Jr. one of the coke drivers?

[Sifty]

I heard it will be Bud and he will be in the 8 car.

Sifty

[lawdog]

The logical choice is Mountain Dew as they've been associated with Hendrick for a few years now too. Pepsi is a great product and great company so you should just keep your opinions to yourself on that one LMITOUT. Pepsi won't be leaving Gordon anytime soon...

[LMITOUT]

Pepsi is awful. And I'll say it again if I please!

I was thinking Mountain Dew also. Hendrick is a bunch of Gatorade slurpers after the race too, so maybe a different car color every week!

[PierBridge]

I can't imagine it wouldn't be Budweiser for Jr unless there is something in the contract relating to DEI or some other stipulation which is doubtfull IMO.

He wouldn't get the number 8 though would he????

[JohnMickish]

You guys forget that Hendrick used to have Bud as a sponsor (25 car) before DEI took it away from them. There might be some hard feelings left over from that yet. If they can get equal money from a different sponsor Hendrick might just take it, and leave Bud hanging.

[LMITOUT]

I thought I remember hearing them say that Bud had an out clause in the contract to be able to leave if Jr did. That doesn't necessarily mean they would go with Jr, but they wouldn't have to sponsor a DEI car. Basically it was in there so they could go with Jr if things worked out and they fit with the new team.

Whatever sponsor it is, I'd have to believe it'll be a well established company/product. Nothing like Coke Zero or some sub-product which I wouldn't think will last long.

How about John Deere! Peterbilt? Or just plain Chevrolet?

Maybe Ranger to rub it in the face of DEI and Tracker/Bass Pro Shops. Those boys down there like their bass boats.

[harvey lee]

Very good point Mnfishinguy. I remember that car also.

[Sifty]

There has been some talk about a "trade"with DEI giving them the 5 and cash.

There was a article I read in the tribune on Sunday that talked about it as well.

Sifty

[harvey lee]

There will be plenty of speculation until Hendrick states what thier plan is. Right now I will speculate they probably know but it isnt set in stone yet.

[Cyberfish]

A preview of next season?

[lawdog]

Quote:

---

Nothing like Coke Zero or some sub-product which I wouldn't think will last long.

---

All Coke is worth ZERO and their won't be any of their garbage sewer water on a Hendrick car!!!

[LMITOUT]

Awwww, come on. Have a Coke and a smile!

[jbell1981]

Jeez, first Gordon vs Jr. Now Coke vs Pepsi. Whats next, Alltel vs Cingular? Oh, and by the way Coke is better than that garbage called Pepsi

[Sutty]

I can see debating beer but pop?

I could see Mountain Dew or even Dr. Pepper if Bud doesn't follow him over, or isn't allowed to.

[huntmup]

If Bud and Jr. part ways, where will that fan base go. I know I've been a Bud fun alot longer then a Jr. fan .

After the lose of fans with his move to Hendrick, can Jr. afford to loose Bud.

[Coach Dog]

I prefer Pepsi or whatever is on sale! Put s little captain morgan and a lime and they're both good!

[Harmonica Bear]

I'd reather see Jr with Budweiser than anybody else. That just seems like such a good match. Kind of like Rusty and Lite Beer. Kurt Busch aligned with Lite doesn't have the same appeal etc.

I've also heard at numerous times now of Visa getting in on the mix. I'm telling ya with the move Hendrick, jeans, t-shirts and good-ol-boy-beer-drinking is on the way out. Now it'll be Dockers, Polo's, and (forget Pepsi and Coke) BOTTLED WATER!

The end is near......

[harvey lee]

I might agree that Jr's image might have to change with the move to Hendrick. I dont believe that you will see the same Jr anymore.

The good ole boy, beer drinking theme will probably have to go and a new preppy Jr. might appear.

[Harmonica Bear]

You know - I say that stuff pretty tongue-in-cheek, but it just might happen.... and that, in reality, kind of sucks in general all the way around.

[LMITOUT]

Quote:

---

I might agree that Jr's image might have to change with the move to Hendrick. I dont believe that you will see the same Jr anymore.

The good ole boy, beer drinking theme will probably have to go and a new preppy Jr. might appear.

---

Not according to what Jr and Henrick has said. He is aware that Jr is his "own brand" and that they weren't going to make any drastic changes to that. If he's as smart as everyone makes him out to be, he'll leave the "real" Jr. alone and not turn him into that cardboard cutout that you see in the Famous Dave's commercials.

Jr said that he got away with a lot at DEI due to the fact that he knew it would have taken a lot to get him fired since he was tied to the company by family. He realizes that working for someone else that he may have to watch himself more, but he and Rick both assured that he's too old to change now and that's one of the things that Jr. was looking for in a new team.

In other words, I don't think he'll be going robotic anytime soon.

[harvey lee]

I sure hope that does happen.

[Coach Dog]

I can't imagine JR changing at all. I do hope though, he can improve his public speaking skills. I mean, did you see his press conference last week? He's always had a tough time getting sentences out "uh, eh, yeah, um,", but he couldn't even read his "thoughts" that were right in front of him on paper that he prepared for weeks. Sorry to bash him guys but that was bad.