The fallout continues......NAPA leaving Micheal Waltrip Racing and will end its sponsorship of Martin Turex with the conclusion of the 2013 season.
http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/nascar/sprint-cup-nascar/napa-leaving-michael-waltrip-racing/
I'm not happy about the whole Richmond deal. But this is a complete overreaction by NAPA. They could've rolled with their tersely worded press release. Perhaps have some shouting matches behind closed doors - which probably happened. Maybe even ding MWR some financial support that wasn't made public. But to ditch the team completely is ludicrous. NO ONE is going to think less of NAPA as a chain because of what Truex's teammates did.
Poor ol' Truex keeps getting knuckle rapped in his C.O. Jones.
More than likely they were starting to get a bit unhappy with the return for their dollar. A major sponsor for the entire 36 race season is hard to come by these days. With the negative publicity and lower attendance figures maybe they are taking advantage of the situation to get out of the contract. Nascar isn't the only ones to have the ole reliable " conduct unbecoming clause" in its contracts......
In reviewing tweets this morning and trading texts and emails with friends, a theme is beginning to surface. What if NAPA invoked their conduct clause as one of convenience? Sure, the backdrop of Richmond could perhaps be legally used as a way to exit their relationship. But what if a parallel effort is underway to have them sign with NASCAR as the middle series title sponsor with Nationwide stepping away after 2014?
I've read NW's deal with NASCAR was about $8M per year. A Cup deal for one team probably cost them at least 2x that. Perhaps they're prepared to take on the full series, not tie their full commitment to one team, cut the spend and increase their return.
No way do they exit NASCAR altogether - at least not for any great length of time. Auto parts and NASCAR fans go together like peanut butter and jelly.
But if this situation plays out, it wouldn't be the first time NASCAR has nabbed a team sponsor for their own benefit.
I'm through with NAPA. This was uncalled for. Should be Bowyer, not Truex.
I feel badly for Martin Truex who seems to be the one person in this whole scenario who did nothing suspect.
However, as a corporation, I wouldn't want to be affiliated with Michael Waltrip or the company he partially owns.
There are too many ways to spend corporate dollars than to dump it into a place with no ethics and whose conduct is having repercussions with customers and potential customers.
I guess all those annoying "Know How" commercials with the Waltrip family can be thankfully shelved.
To my knowledge, NAPA has always had a good corporate reputation and I have certainly been satisfied with my expenditures with them through the years. No reputable company can tolerate the position NAPA was placed in.
Perhaps the drinkers of those energy vials and the renters of television sets are not so particular as the purchasers of auto parts as to concern the 5-hour or Lucky Dog folks. Since I'm a customer of neither, my opinion doesn't register on their radar... but, I do buy auto parts and everything about the Waltrip affiliation has always had me questioning why an outfit like NAPA would stay tied up with Waltrip.
I applaud NAPA for cutting the cord.
I applaud NAPA MIKEYhas pushed it to the limit once to often tainted gas/ dui/ now fixing the outcome of a championship points chase. MWR should have been set home until Daytona next year. Playing in the grey areas has been around a long time and will continue to be, but out right cheating should not be tolerated. As far as Truex stop the tears don't you think he was informed of the big picture by his cheating BOSS, come on the whole MWRcompany knew of the plan if they could get all the pieces to fall in place I say good for the whole bunch, maybe 5 HOUR and AARONS will slap MIKEYS hand as well here's hoping(credibility) that's what it about and MIKEY has none
Does this mean there really is a Santa Claus?????? More than I could have hoped for. If he wasn't such a big oaf, perhaps Michael could get a job a Walt Disney World playing "Dopey" in the Snow White show. Oh, wait!!!!!!!
There is always DUMBO.
Not if they check references
NASCAR is a joke , it has become more like the WWE . Big Bill is rolling in his grave thinking what the hell Brian didn't I teach you nothing boy. NASCAR is a shell of its former self the Modifieds NASCARS oldest division and may I ad the best division is treated like the crazy cousin lock away in the closet so know one see them in there place we have trucks what the hell trucks are for getting your racer to the track. Then we have the CHASE what is that playoffs in stock car racing Brian playoffs are for stick and ball sports look in the stands no one cares. The cheating scandal, with MWR is just another example of just out of control things .are, the aftermath of the MWR deal is like what the hell is wrong, NASCAR didn't get that right either they should have sentMWR home until Daytona next year with probation for the year (sent the teams a message).Oh and by the way the START/FINISH line is where you start and restart a race with the leader on the inside pole and the starter is in control of the race not the lead car. I better quit here but I think everyone understands my frustration with the state of NASCAR racing
