NASCAR is the most popular motorsport in North America, even more so than Formula 1. And while the global audience focuses on World Cup in Rally, F1, and Moto GP, Americans honour the 73 years of stock car racing tradition. Of course, some fans point out that most NASCAR cars are not stock in this day and age, but all 36 races of Cup Series still get high ratings.
NASCAR has more than one competition, with Cup and Xfinity Series being at the top of the hierarchy. All 17 teams and drivers have sponsorship deals to keep the octane circus rolling in both of these NASCAR competitions. In addition, you can find the usual suspects like the enormous US corporation AWS, Coca Cola, beer manufacturers, telecom providers, and igaming and sport betting official partners. Of course, teams also have high-profile sponsors, but there were some weird endorsements throughout the competition’s illustrious history, and we’ll go through some of them.
Cartoon Network didn’t get a victory lap
Catch customers early? Cartoon Network, a part of Turner network, sponsored a couple of teams from 1990 to 2000. Simultaneously, the TV network aired Cartoon Netowork Wacky Racing that helped with the popularity of the sport. Cartoon Network endorsed Galaxy Motorsports, Diamond Ridge Racing and Melling Racing but couldn’t produce a win with their drivers.
In a circle with Kardashians
Tommy Baldwin Racing had a highly unusual sponsorship deal in 2010 when Sephora brand from Kim Kardashian Fragrance endorsed the team. Unfortunately, Mike Bliss didn’t get great results carrying the Sephora makeup outlet brand logo.
Diapers for long races?
A brand of adult diapers Depend hopped on the NASCAR bandwagon to help destigmatize the product. We don’t know the result of the sponsorship on adult diapers sales, but at Richmond racetrack, the support acted as a lucky charm for former F1 driver Juan Montoy and his no. 42 Chevrolet. He finished fourth, led for 67 laps and posted the best results in the whole season.
Bourdeaux’s Butt Paste couldn’t make Kim Crosby faster
In the pre-Danica Patrick era, female drivers struggled to create prosperous careers. One of the failed attempts was Kim Crosby racing in the Busch Series. Former middle school principal brought along sponsorship for a diaper rash cream Bordeaux’ Butt Paste. Unfortunately for the sponsor and Kim, she switched to monster truck driving after only ten starts.
Viagra successfully helped the rise of Mark Martin
Pfizer’s popular blue pill was a major sponsor in NASCAR for over six years. Their erectile dysfunction pills first bounced to Eel River Racing and Mike Bliss as a driver. Roush Racing and Mark Martin were next in the line for Viagra sponsorship. Martin had moderate success with three wins, and finished second in 2002, with two fourth places in 2004 and 2005.
Chevrolet, Toyota and Ford are the choices of most teams when it comes to cars, and the biggest sponsors of teams and competition come from the insurance, beverage and financial world. Struggling teams and drivers throughout NASCAR history had truly weird sponsorships.
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