Budweiser Won’t Follow Earnhardt To Hendrick Motorsports

JOLIET, Ill. — In an announcement that was not unexpected, Budweiser will not sponsor Dale Earnhardt, Jr. next season at Hendrick Motorsports.
When Earnhardt, NASCAR’s most popular driver, announced last month that he would join four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon, defending Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and Casey Mears at Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2008, it was fairly obvious that he would have a new sponsor.
“We have agreements in place with sponsors for the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season which prevent us from having a relationship with Budweiser,” said team owner Rick Hendrick. “Honoring our commitments is important to us. The trade-off is missing an opportunity to bring Budweiser, a marquee brand synonymous with NASCAR and its fans, into the fold.”
Earnhardt signed with Hendrick Motorsports on June 13.

“I would still like to be No. 8, but that’s between the owners and obviously NASCAR, I don’t have any influence, I reckon.”

— Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

“To climb into that red Budweiser car each weekend has always been a privilege,” Earnhardt said. “Although Budweiser and I will be unable to continue our partnership beyond this season, I remain committed to driving for Bud the rest of this year and will continue to make it my beer of choice. I’m a race-car driver. All I can do is drive as hard as I can for my fans and sponsorship partners and give my best effort each weekend.”
Earnhardt is attempting to upgrade his image, and by leaving a beer sponsor, it will allow the driver to have broader appeal by promoting the driver to fans under the age of 21.
Alcohol and tobacco sponsors are not allowed to promote their drivers to minors.
“I’ve really enjoyed my relationship with Budweiser,” Earnhardt said. “I felt like we’ve only accomplished half of what we could do together. So that part of it is kind of unfortunate. I would have loved to continue working with Bud, but under the circumstances, that’s not a possibility.
Pepsi is considered a good possibility to sponsor Earnhardt’s Chevrolet next season.
“We’ll have to change our frame of mind and see what the opportunities are for our primary sponsors next year. And those should be in line with what I like and what I enjoy. And I'm excited to put that together and see what it looks like, you know.”
There has also not been a resolution on which car number Earnhardt will have next season. He would like to keep the famed No. 8, but so far it has not been determined if it will remain with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. or be allowed to transfer to Hendrick Motorsports.
“I would still like to be No. 8, but that’s between the owners and obviously NASCAR,” Earnhardt said. “I don’t have any influence, I reckon.”