A statement
from the auto parts giant said simply, “After thorough consideration, NAPA has
made the difficult decision to end its sponsorship arrangement with Michael
Waltrip Racing effective December 31, 2013. NAPA believes in fair play and does
not condone actions such as those that led to the penalties assessed by NASCAR.
We remain supportive of the millions of NASCAR fans and will evaluate our
future position in motorsports.”
NASCAR fined MWR
$300,000 and indefinitely suspended Executive Vice President/General Manager Ty
Norris for manipulating the
outcome of a recent race at Richmond International Raceway.
At
the time, NAPA said it would re-evaluate its relationship with MWR, saying, ““The actions taken by
Michael Waltrip’s Racing team this past weekend leading to the penalties
assessed by NASCAR, are very concerning. We are disappointed that a partner
associated with our organization would make such a significant error in
judgment. In addition, we have launched our own review to determine the future
of our partnership with Michael Waltrip’s Racing team. The NAPA AUTO PARTS
organization is proud of its long-standing NASCAR relationship. We share a
passion with our customers for high quality racing and seek to determine the
best course of action for our customers, NASCAR fans, and the NAPA organization.
MWR has not yet commented on today’s announcement.
I don't blame them for leaving. However, feel bad for Martin Truex Jr. WHO will want to be a sponsor for MWR, that is the BIG question.
ReplyDeleteCertainly feel bad for Martin Truex - who is so innocent is all of this, and hope NAPA will continue to sponsor our sport - God knows there are deserving teams out there - but are you really "shocked" by this news?
ReplyDeleteWow!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNAPA Nationwide Series has a nice ring to it.
ReplyDeleteWOW! That'll hurt more than anything NASCAR could have done to them.
ReplyDeleteNAPA just lost my business !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIn the "hits just keep on coming" for Truex...MWR has cost him his spot in the Chase and now his sponsor!! Great PR, Michael Waltrip Racing. How would you like to be the guy tracking down new sponsors for the team today? The economy still sucks and sponsor dollars are hard to come by, and now you have to go find a new one...with THIS being the reason you lost the old one!
ReplyDeleteThe obvious next question, Mr. Moody (who just loves to speculate on unknowns LOL) Where is NAPA likely to relocate to?
WOW! The ripple effect continues...sad day not only for MWR but for NASCAR in general...this whole mess just makes me sad.
ReplyDeletebeen a cheater. from the start... hope toyota is next
ReplyDeleteWay too go NASCAR another sponsor gone from NASCAR The France family is losing fans every day keep up the great work. I feel for Martin Truex JR and MWR racing, I guess nascar can tell teams when they should pit and when help there boy Jeff Gordon
ReplyDeleteNapa just gained a customer.
ReplyDeleteThe people who caused all this walk away, and Martin Truex Jr. and crew pay the price. These are the most innocent of all, and Clint Boyer and Co. can laugh all the way into the chase, sponsers and all!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteStewart-Haas could use a solid sponsor like NAPA.
The worst thing is Mikey didn't do anything to repair the damage caused by Ty Norris. He should have been fired immediately. That would have shown NAPA he was serious about fixing the problems.
ReplyDelete