my how quickly we forget at least the media anyways
The Wall Street Journal claimed that Darrell Waltrips deal with Tide in the late 80s was the first sponsorship outside of auto parts, gas products and beer. Guess that Holly Farms chicken car almost three decades earlier or the Coca-Cola and Army cars in the 70s didnt count. How about that D.W.
1968-Cale had 6-Minute Cleaners on his Wood Bros Merc.And let's not forget Janet Guthrie with backing from Kelly Girl.
I don't understand the wall street journal's thinking. I know from 1981 alone there was Wrangler Jeans, UNO, Mountain Dew, Kings Inn, Belden Asphalt, Hardees, Baily Excavating and Gatorade. I'm sure there were many cars in the 60's and 70's, too. I remember Benny had Kings Row Fireplace Shops in the mid 70's.Pete
Johnny, I discussed this blog with my wife today (I needed all the help I could find) and from what she remembered with this Tide thing it was the first national sponsor that was geared for the female nascar fan. Was there any particular sponsor before where the goal was to cater to women, not necessarily men? I remember Hawiian Tropic in the late 70's and Buddy Baker had the Crisco car (I think this was before Tide) that could be considered women orientated. Any thoughts/
You might have something there with the woman thing, Pete, although I believe Tide came before Crisco.I also think the Janet Guthrie / Kelly Girl deal was more for show than an outright effort to attract a more female audience.It was the mid to late 80s that NASCAR began to "degrease" itself to gain a broader appeal, which thru various circumstances ultimatly morphed into the crap it is now.
Bill, the more I think about it, I think the Crisco car was after the Tide ride, too. I think it was a late, late 80's or early 90's car that Baker drove. I'll try and find a picture of it. I think it was an Oldsmobile, though.Pete
see now yall got something to do for a little bit---i like doing this --digging totally useless stuff up except its not useless to us,it really helps describe what happened from the beginning till the corperates jumped in a ruined our sport we love so dearly
Another update-- It seems the Tide and Crisco sponsorships began the same year--1987
Well, at least I got the Oldsmobile thing right today. Other than that ZERO. Great picture, Bill.Pete
Well, here in Augusta, I actually work at one of two plants here in the States that makes Tide powder laundry detergent.
you REALLY are a tide man then huh
I have looked for a photo but to no avail, but I am almost certain that I remember Gordon Johncock on the pole at the '73(?) Atlanta 500 driving the yellow Hoss Ellington #28 or #29 and sponsored by "Leggs" pantyhose. It might've been a one race deal because I can find photos of the Pylon Wiper Blades sponsorship on the car for around the same time, but no Leggs.