NASCAR Sponsors Pray for Help from Fans

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

"Its the fans who buy our products, and right now, no one is buying," said Could B. Broke, head of marketing at a mega company.

"We are reaching out to the fans for ideas. Are we spending our sponsorship dollars the right way? Is your favorite driver really part of your favorite company?"

"Help us help you," pleaded Broke.

Do sponsors really understand the fans? Is it more the popularity of the driver that brings a sponsor to the team?

Marketing and demographics are keys to a successful sponsorship. The fans are the demographics, not the drivers or the owners.

Has anyone ever really seen Jimmie Johnson stop and fix something around town? Why is Chad Knaus always driving the vehicle? Jimmie is the driver, right?

Sure, Tony Stewart might use Old Spice, but could you really see him running out to Office Depot to buy ink pens and a fax machine?

Does Jeff Gordon really use Dupont Automotive Finish? Isn’t he rich enough to buy a new car instead of repainting a used one?

Identifying a driver with a particular product is good marketing. Fans are consumers and they identify drivers with a product he actually needs or uses.

Take for instance Ward Burton. Ward is not driving this year, so during his time off he has partnered with Rosetta Stone, the language experts, to learn a new language, English.

Mark Martin might actually like Kellogg’s Cereal, but wouldn’t a better sponsor be someone like Ensure or AARP?

Big advertising executives cannot see these things like true a NASCAR fan can see them.

Let’s go back to Jeff Gordon, the one time pretty boy of NASCAR.

After a few years on the track, a divorce, another marriage and now a new baby, Jeff seems to have aged a lot over the past few years. Shouldn’t Maybelline or Cover Girl be on speed dial?

Michael Waltrip and NAPA have been together for many years.

Car parts are the least of Michael’s worries. A more suitable sponsor would be The Richard Petty Driving Experience.

Sponsors just cannot buy this type of research.

Ryan Newman and Carl Edwards are both very muscular drivers.

Bowflex should be knocking down their doors. If Bowflex can’t sponsor both drivers, then maybe a little MMA style match would determine a winner. If it’s a really tough match, then maybe the loser could pick up AFLAC or a health insurance sponsor.

Brian Vickers is one who really needs some help.

After all, he has smashed up a good many cars in his short career. Is a MAACO sponsorship on the horizon, or would he be better off with 1-800-SAFE-AUTO?

It’s not always a good match. There have been a few sponsor mis-cues along the way.

Subway didn’t seem to work for Tony Stewart like it did for Jared.

Enter Jenny Craig. Jenny could not only help Tony with his weight, but could also give him that little bit of feminine attention he seems to need.

Team owners will also consider letting fans select sponsorships.

Richard Childress and Colt Fire Arms would be more than just a shot in the dark. Jack Roush and Stetson could put the lid on a great relationship.

Of course, there are many more combinations out there. It is up to us, the fans, to figure out the perfect match for each situation. 

The biggest challenge of all could be Dale Earnhardt Jr.

For the second year in a row he is sponsored by Amp Energy Drink. Dale should really look into Monster Dot Com as soon as possible.

Not only would they be a worthy sponsor, they have a data base of millions of applicants. Somewhere in those millions has to be someone who can help Dale Jr. win a championship.

Go forth NASCAR fans and submit your ideas!