Keep in mind that Sprint/Nextel paid big bucks for exclusivity in their sponsorship of the Cup Series. Meaning they paid to not have a competitor's name on one of the cars in the series they sponsor. Sunoco and Goodyear also enjoy the same exclusivity. Written into the contract Nextel signed was a 1-time option to change Nextel's branding of the series in case Nextel was bought, which it was a couple years later. That one-and-done change has created the new for '08 series name: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

at&t did not have a similar clause in their sponsorship contract, and they were rightly denied the ability to change their branding from Cingular, until they whined & complained loud enough for NASCAR to legally compromise on the 'sunset sponsorship' that ends after this year. This exclusivity also rightly denies Verizon to sponsor the #12 car now that they've bought Alltell.

However, this exclusivity does NOT carry over to the Nationwide or Truck Series. In the Nationwide Series, Nationwide enjoys an exclusivity from other insurance companies who'd want to come into the sport (Chrissy Wallace was denied the ability to drive a 2nd GEICO sponsored car). Whoever starts sponsoring the Truck Series next year will also very likely enjoy exclusivity from their competitors.

Keep in mind this exclusivity only prevents NEW sponsors from entering the series. Any pre-existing competitor is always grandfathered in, but is not allowed to change anything about its existing sponsorship. This is a very fair and attractive aspect to series sponsorship contracts. Companies heavily value being the only name in the respective market reaching the TV audience, and NASCAR needs those sponsor dollars to have attractive events that bring the best competitors, teams, and fans in the world each week.

Congrats to the #31 team for landing a great sponsor, and good luck to BDR on finding a good replacement!

--DF28

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"I think Davey had a way about him that made people feel special when he spoke with them. When he was around them he had just a rare quality that was truly a star quality. I think people were drawn to him because of that. It has really lasted all of these years. He was a great guy." -- Liz Allison

"What kind of man would live in a world where there is no daring? I don't believe in taking foolish chances, but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all." -- Charles Lindberg