Lack of Sponsorship Could Force Newman Out of a Ride in 2014
It’s no secret that in NASCAR today, you need to have talent and a sponsor who has your back. Without either of those two things, it’s very difficult to succeed in today’s NASCAR world. A good sponsor is hard to come by these days and finding a sponsor who will back you up no matter what is even more difficult to find. This season will be Ryan Newman’s last under contract with Stewart-Hass Racing and unless Newman can secure a primary sponsor for next season, he may be forced out of his ride.
Newman and team-owner Tony Stewart scrapped together a deal with various sponsors for this season but, just about all-of-the sponsor deals are one year deals. Quicken Loans stepped up their sponsorship for Newman this season after U.S Army left Newman after last season, leaving Newman without a primary sponsor. Quicken Loans had sponsored Newman last season but, only in a few races and they increased their sponsorship for Newman this year, becoming Newman’s primary sponsor. Quicken Loans only scheduled their sponsorship of the No.39 Chevy SS for this season and the possibility of them doing the same next season is very slim.
SHR did all they could to get Newman sponsorship for this season and they were successful in getting it from various companies for most of this seasons races. Companies including Outback Steakhouse, WIX Filters, Aspen Dental and Code 3 Associates will have their company featured on Newman’s car this season and most of those deals were vital in getting Newman a chance to compete for the full-season. If some of those sponsors decide to pull their name of Newman’s car after this season, Newman will be in deep trouble if he wants to race for SHR in 2014. NASCAR has turned into a money sport where to compete big-time you need sponsors and with no sponsor, there’s no opportunity to race.
As we all know, it costs big bucks to sponsor a car in the Sprint Cup Series. When companies take on huge rolls to sponsor a team for half the season, like Quicken Loans is doing for Newman, it cost a ton of money and many companies don’t like spending those big bucks for many seasons. That leaves teams searching for sponsors after each season so they can go out and compete each weekend. It is likely that Quicken Loans won’t step up again next season like they did this season unless they are happy with Newman’s results and if Newman can’t perform, he may be searching for a sponsor and potentially a ride.
Stewart-Hass Racing is adding to their driver lineup in 2014 with Kevin Harvick coming over to join the group. Harvick has yet to confirm this but; Harvick’s current team-owner Richard Childress did so during the media tour back before Daytona. That means SHR will have at least three full-time cars in 2014 that currently have sponsorship secured. Harvick will bring over Budweiser, Jimmy Johns and Rheem. Danica Patrick will continue to have GoDaddy.com as her sponsor and team-owner Tony Stewart will likely continue to be sponsored by Mobil 1 and Bass Pro Shops. That leaves Newman out of the picture since he has just about nothing confirmed regarding next season. Newman will need a sponsor if he wants to stay with SHR next season and if not, he will be testing the free-agent waters.
Sponsors are such a big part of our sport today and without them, NASCAR wouldn’t be what it is today. Many drivers have great relationships with their sponsors and the sponsors stick with the driver since the driver is a great promoter for their product. Sponsorship loyalty is a big deal these days and many drivers don’t have the loyalty which makes them wonder how they will get to the race track each season. Ryan Newman doesn’t have a long-time sponsor secured and that leaves many to wonder what Newman will do next season without a secured primary sponsor. If Newman and SHR can’t acquire a primary sponsor by the time preparation for next season starts, Newman will be forced out of his current ride and he will fall into a position where no driver ever wants to be. He will have his future in doubt and he’ll end up as a free agent. A free agent without a sponsor is not a driver any team would go after and there’s a possibility that Newman could be that driver after the 2013 season.
Andy Hillenburg Promises Fans a Race to Remember at Rockingham Speedway
Last year I was fortunate to be among those present at Rockingham Speedway as NASCAR returned for the first time since 2004. It was my also my first trip to the legendary track and my expectations were high. I was not disappointed.
After the completion of last year’s race, track owner Andy Hillenburg took a few moments to reflect on the weekend.
“I feel like we did the best that we could based on the knowledge that we had. But I feel confident in saying that if I get a second chance from NASCAR, I can do even better.”
That second chance comes on April 14th with the running of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at The Rock presented by Cheerwine.
As promised, Hillenburg plans to make this season’s race as memorable as the first. To that end, we will see the return of some popular activities and events plus a few new twists.
Hillenburg has partnered with the USO (United Service Organization) of North Carolina to bring back ‘Send a Soldier to The Rock.’ Through this program, fans can purchase tickets to the race. These tickets will be distributed by the USO to servicemen and women and their families. Rockingham Speedway will donate a portion of these ticket sales back to the USO of North Carolina.
The program is important to Andy for obvious reasons.
“The nation’s servicemen and women do so much for our country. This year with getting the USO involved I think we can do even better. Everyone in our country owes a debt to our servicemen and women. It may not be a race ticket but it’s something small and fun and a way to get involved. It’s a pleasure and a privilege.”
Friday features the Thunderfest celebration in downtown Rockingham. Activities begin at 11:00 a.m. and end at 10:00 p.m. There will be something for everyone with a free kids zone, caricature drawings, mechanical bull rides, a beer garden, entertainment and more. The highlight of the evening will undoubtedly be the Hauler Parade at 6pm.
The on track action will feature the Frank Kimmel Street Stock Nationals (FKSSN) practice and qualifying and United Auto Racing Association-Stars Late Model Series (UARA) practice.
Saturday includes back-to-back racing action. The UARA Late Model event begins at 2:00 p.m. The Frank Kimmel Street Stock drivers are up next with an approximate start time of 4:45 p.m. The NCWTS drivers will run practice sessions on Saturday too.
After the races, fans can relax and enjoy a concert under the stars. The Chris Lane Band will take the stage at 6:00 p.m. followed by Ty Brown. The Hoss Howard Band will close out the night and will be back on Sunday to sing the national anthem before the NCWTS race.
Sunday will showcase some of the best racing in NASCAR.
“The thing about Rockingham is that it’s a racetrack that you can pass on,” Andy explains. “They proved it once again last year. You can pass and you can race on Rockingham Speedway. That’s one of the things that we’re very proud of.”
Qualifying is scheduled to begin at 11:05 Sunday morning. The NCWTS drivers will kick it into high gear at 2:00 p.m. for 200 laps at ‘The Rock.’
In closing, I asked Andy, ‘what makes Rockingham Speedway so memorable?
“A race at Rockingham is history,” he answered, “Rockingham is old school racing and there’s a camaraderie between the competitors and the fans. There’s nothing fancy about Rockingham but it’s the feel that you get whenever you walk on the grounds.”
Please visit http://rockinghamspeedway.com/home.html to purchase tickets online or call 910-205-8800. If you’re lucky, you may even get to speak with Andy Hillenburg who recently posted the following on twitter.
“Busy day at the Rock. Getting ready for April 12-14 weekend. If I took your ticket order today, sorry that I am slow. Lol, I talk racing.”
