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October 13, 2006
Cingular Wins the NEXTEL Cup?
By Mark Young
OK it's time for the conspiracy theory people to jump in and help me out on this one. Some friends and I were doing our weekly bench racing session at the bowling alley and the topic of Jeff Burton's chances of winning the title was brought up. Everyone all agreed that he has a great chance at winning his first ever championship, but behind the scenes the folks at Sprint/NEXTEL have got to be grinding their teeth.
Just imagine all of the photos in the weeks immediately following the final race in Homestead if Burton claims the Cup. All of these NEXTEL signs, hats, and of course the trophy surrounded by that bright orange Cingular Chevrolet. Talk about counter advertising for the title sponsor!! Will the folks at NASCAR be whispering in the ear of Mike Helton and Pope Brian whenever Burton is in the lead? Will there be ill-timed cautions thrown to try and balance the field? Will they do everything they can to try to keep that Cingular team from winning the crown jewel of racing?
I for one hope that these conspiracy theories are just that, theories. The true racing fan in me hopes that the best team wins the Chase and not someone else because of their sponsor affiliations. I can guarantee you this though, if Burton and Cingular do win the Cup there will be some sort of goofy rule change to insure that as long as Sprint/NEXTEL are on the Cup another cellular sponsor won't be allowed to sponsor any other teams and that is a shame.
What do you think?
October 13, 2006 | Permalink
Comments
Mark,
That's a good conspiracy theory, but there are others:
Mark Martins last shot ever at a Cup - Will they make it easy?
Goodwrench is bowing out - One for the road?
RCR cars are looking good - Too good?
It's this last part of your blog that incites me...
"I can guarantee you this though, if Burton and Cingular do win the Cup there will be some sort of goofy rule change to insure that as long as Sprint/NEXTEL are on the Cup another cellular sponsor won't be allowed to sponsor any other teams and that is a shame." - MWY
That just yells out as a violation of free trade. If a legitimate sponsor, with a legal and socially acceptable product wants to sponsor a driver then NASCAR should have no say. As far as I know cell phone services, while confusing and annoying sometimes, fall into that catagory. NASCAR and NEXTEL better think hard on that move. If it happens, Cingular gets my patronage. LOL, it's not like I can ever find the damn cell anyway.
Posted by: Keith | Oct 13, 2006 8:27:32 AM
Those are good ones as well Keith....Goodwrench and one for the road though is unlikely if you ask me.
Posted by: Mark | Oct 13, 2006 9:00:46 AM
Keith: It seems to me that there was an article about that very subject. I thought it was reported that cingular could NOT be excluded because they were an existing sponsor during the WINSTON era. However, I don't think they can move away from the 31 car or RCR. Once that contract is broken , " they will, along with any other competeing business, be excluded" from sponsorship while Nextel is the Series sponsor. Maybe that is why SPRINT bought out Nextel.
Posted by: 328 | Oct 13, 2006 9:02:41 AM
328,
I think that's just wrong. So, if it comes about I will email the FTC/NASCAR/NEXTEL(Sprint) people and vote with my wallet. It seems that dollars are the only voice NASCAR listens to.
Posted by: Keith | Oct 13, 2006 9:21:56 AM
There has got to be some legal recourse that could stop NASCAR and NEXTEL making such rules blocking cell providers from sponsoring........
Posted by: Mark | Oct 13, 2006 9:36:42 AM
Mark,Keith,32
If you came to Nascar now with a new
wireless network today,you wouldn't be allowed to run.
And you all forgot about Alltel.
How about when Jeff Gordon(Pepsi) won thw
Coke-Cola 600.
Back in the day it killed me to go to a Winston track and try to by Marlboro's.
It's not like Denny Hamlin refusing the
check from UPS for winning race.
I hope we never see any hanky panky because
of some clause in a sponsors contract.
Posted by: trucker | Oct 13, 2006 9:44:04 AM
Mark,
There has to be something. I could see "alcohol" sponsors being banned before because of the drinking/driving association, but cell phones? Hmmmm, I wonder if other Tabbacco sponsors were banned in the old days. We'll know NASCAR has made it if we get a Congressional hearing on this...LOL
Posted by: Keith | Oct 13, 2006 9:45:20 AM
We had cars sponsored by Skoal, Kodiak, Levi Garret, and Camel. Those weren't ALL owned by Winston and things were fine.... But then again Bill France was running the show then and not Pope Brian.
Posted by: Mark | Oct 13, 2006 9:47:52 AM
Mark,did you notice those were all "smokeless"products,except Camels?I don't remember all the details,but AT&T
could not sponser the 49 car because of Nextel.
Posted by: SHORT LADY | Oct 13, 2006 10:13:20 AM
Mark, I didn't even think about Cingular as the champion with the Nextel Cup. Now I really hope the 31 team wins the title!
When Nextel took over sponsorship, they "grandfathered in" the other cell phone companies as sponsors. But, any other cell companies (i.e. Verizon, T-Mobile) could not sponsor a car in “Nextel” Cup.
If Alltel is bought out by another provider, and the name is changed, that company/provider will not be able to sponsor the 12 Dodge.
It’s another example of Corporate America taking over my favorite sports (including college football). If a person or company has enough money to sponsor whatever they would like, they should have the opportunity.
The only exception I have know of that an organization overruled a sponsors wishes is the University Athletic Association (aka Florida Gators).
When I worked at the UAA in 1992, a contract was being put together for Coke’s sponsorship. The contract stated that ONLY Coca-Cola products would be allowed at Florida Field, which included their energy drink, PowerAde.
Well . . . Gatorade was developed by Dr. Cade at the University of Florida. With the contract stating “ONLY Coca-Cola products,” that meant Gatorade would not be allowed. It didn’t take long for a “clause” to be added that would allow Gatorade at Florida Field.
So. . .there are ways around it. You just have to figure them out!
Posted by: Shirley | Oct 13, 2006 10:28:02 AM
As crazy as the conspiracy theory sounds NASCAR has a history of pulling the "debis" caution at unique times. Look at 'dega last weekend, Jr the first car one lap down. 2 laps later the depris caution flies and Jr is back on the lead lap. And that is just one I can name this year.
Posted by: FRANK | Oct 13, 2006 10:28:40 AM
Mark, you are correct. When Winston was the sponsor, Bill France was in charge and things were much different back then.
Ron, I don't know if they did it at other tracks, but if you bought three packs of Winston at the Firecracker 400, you got a free poster of the drivers that participated in The Winston.
I didn't smoke the stuff, but I bought three packs, got my poster and made friends with smokers in the stands.
Whatever happened to the good ol' days?
Posted by: Shirley | Oct 13, 2006 10:34:55 AM
I just can imagine the banquet if Burton wins it and the Cingular people will have the stage talking about their product with all those NEXTEL execs. sitting in the front row grinding their teeth......
Posted by: Mark | Oct 13, 2006 10:36:22 AM
Mark,
LOL, I can picture NASCAR suddenly embracing side by side commercials. As Burton goes to deliver his speech we get a side by side Nextel commercial.
Posted by: Keith | Oct 13, 2006 11:06:00 AM
Not to worry. I think Cingular is being bought out by someone, so the odds of Cingular being on the 31 next year are pretty slim, and 328 is right that Cingular can ONLY sponsor the RCR #31. Sprint/Nextel/whateverInc can grit its corporate teeth for one year. I just hope Burton doesn't find himself without a sponsor again, as he did at Roush.
Is it "right" that Sprint/Nextel can impose these conditions? Well, maybe if you pony up a gazillion bucks as series sponsor you get to make a few of the rules. It's called capitalism.
Posted by: Doug | Oct 13, 2006 11:31:20 AM
Doug,
And the FTC has established free trade and commerce rules. You don't think these apply? LOL, see we agreed the other day so we're back on schedule now.
Posted by: Keith | Oct 13, 2006 11:35:49 AM
Cingular has already been purchased by AT&T. That was over a year ago so I don't foresee that as a problem Doug unless there is new info coming out about another sale.
Posted by: Mark | Oct 13, 2006 11:39:35 AM
Mark
it would be cool to see that.
"I just can imagine the banquet if Burton wins it and the Cingular people will have the stage talking about their product with all those NEXTEL execs. sitting in the front row grinding their teeth......"
Posted by: Diane Sadler | Oct 13, 2006 12:25:12 PM
As a sidebar comment WAY OFF TOPIC (disclaimer). I want to give props to Bob and the TR.com guys for putting that swimsuit slideshow on the site this morning!!
Posted by: Mark | Oct 13, 2006 1:24:27 PM
Wow...this is a weird discussion.
I picture a Nextel rep taking out one of the #31 crew's tires at Dega and replacing it with a defective one...and Burton is off the pace!
I think even Lame Brain Brian has to recognize the damage it would do to the sport should Nextel not allow a car to win that represents another mobile provider.
I honestly don't even think Nextel is worried about it. Sponsoring the prize and sponsoring the car who wins the prize are two different things. Flip it around, what do you think Cingular's execs think about the possibility of their car winning the "Nextel" Cup?
Posted by: Kurt Smith | Oct 13, 2006 1:36:36 PM
Oh I am with you on that one Kurt....it is still rather comical.
Posted by: Mark | Oct 13, 2006 2:07:14 PM
Okay here is the sponsorship deal. The existing Communication companies can stay as they are. Cingular cannot change its name on the RCR cars at all. Think of this Shell and Pennzoil are sponsoring the 29 next year according to the Sunoco deal and even back in the 76 days the words gasoline cannot be advertised on the car unless it is the official. The words oil can etc but not the word Gasoline. Their are tons of deals like this out there. Ever noticed that Nextel patch on Newman and Burtons uniforms are not Yellow and Black but White.. That is the only reprieve. Yes AT&T would not be allowed on the cingular car if they changed. NASCAR is a closed society of Independant teams that have to abide by speedway and Sanctioning body rules and does not apply to the FTC. Been like that for years.
Posted by: David | Oct 13, 2006 3:39:11 PM
Great post Mark!
You bring up an interesting topic and it is funny that Burton happens to be one of the most penalized drivers for speeding on pit road. Also the issue of his tire going flat during the final laps last week should make one wonder what's happening behind the scenes. lol.........
With Sprint Nextel's executive chairman Tim Donahue announcing his retirement at the end of the year, folks may be worried about Nextel's continued support since Donahue was a huge supporter of investing in NASCAR. Maybe NASCAR is positioning AT&T to take over the sponsorship which might explain the Dillnergate (about the bleeder valves) cover-up. I think Cuba is involved! lol.................
Posted by: MikeHarper | Oct 13, 2006 3:48:16 PM
Hey Mark,
You know that the Bud Boys are rootin' for Kasey to win those poles. The lowest day for Bud was when Rusty won the 98'Shootout.
The rules changed.
Do not underestimate the power of the debris caution. At least when the red car got the dog they did show actual debris.
Big difference from the "smoking" days was that Mr.Bill "needed" other smoking dollars.
The phone wars will be most interesting to watch on and off the track.
It would be cool to see the 31 win it all, if Mark can't.
Good topic.
Posted by: Larry | Oct 13, 2006 8:01:49 PM
I think y'all are making a bit too much of this. So a Cingular-sponsored car might win the Nextel Cup championship; it's not as if the Cingular car beat the Nextel team. There is no Nextel team.
Oh, they'd probably like it better if a car sponsored by some entity that's not a direct competitor won their championship and their money. But you're forgetting the golden rule of show biz/corporate marketing (kind of the same thing) as Col. Tom Parker taught us when said of the young Elvis Presley, "I don't care what they write about the boy, long as they spell his name right." All publicity is good publicity, if you look at it with the right attitude.
I think a better subject might be Coke versus Pepsi, as Trucker brought up. Not only did Pepsi-affiliated Jeffy win the Coke 600, but a few years earlier, when he had a Coca-Cola deal, Gordon won the Pepsi 400, so he's been on both sides of that conundrum. Or, consider the dueling home improvement companies. Long-suffering Lowe's must be frustrated beyond belief with Jimmie Johnson's incredibly bad luck, in contrast to Smoke's two championships for The Home Depot.
As for other companies having some "right" to participate -- NASCAR, let me remind y'all, is a private corporation. To suggest that any company has the "right" to take part in the activities of that private corporation is to suggest that Chevrolet executives have the "right" to attend the Ford Motor Co. picnic.
Exclusivity is commonplace. You can't buy Pepsi products at McDonald's. Denying any company's request to participate as a sponsor is by no means restricting their rights to market their product and do business. It's merely a directive to do so in some other venue.
Posted by: David Green | Oct 14, 2006 11:09:21 AM
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