Lead Lap's NASCAR News » Mobil 1

Office Depot Leaving SHR’s No. 14 At Season’s End

Michael J Smith — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 15:33:25 +0000

Office Depot will leave Stewart Haas Racing’s No. 14 car driven by Tony Stewart at season’s end, and will not sponsor the car in any capacity in 2013, according to ESPN.com.

SHR spokesman Mike Arning said:

Office Depot has notified SHR that they will not be renewing as the primary sponsor of the No. 14 team. However, SHR is in continued discussions with Office Depot regarding possible future roles the company could have with the team.

Mindy Kramer, of Office Depot, said:

The changing business landscape warrants a realignment of priorities and resources. That being said, Tony Stewart has been an exceptional ambassador for our brand, and he has gone above and beyond in everything that he has done for our company. Being a part of his legendary 2011 championship run was a moment of tremendous pride for everyone at Office Depot.

Office Depot does want to be involved with Stewart and the team, but in what capacity has yet to be determined.

Office Depot held primary sponsorship of the car in 22 of 38 races in 2012. Mobil 1 sponsors the car for the remaining 16 races. Mobil 1 will serve as primary sponsor for the same number of races in 2013.

This news comes as another blow, as SHR’s No. 39 Sprint Cup Chevy, driven by Ryan Newman, lost one of its primary sponsors when the US Army announced that it would be leaving the team at season’s end. Still, SHR expects to field three teams in 2013.

SHR Expects To Field Three Teams In 2013

Michael J Smith — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 08:33:57 +0000

Despite losing its Army sponsorship next season, Stewart Haas Racing still expects to field three full time teams said Tony Stewart on a conference call with reporters recently.

The U.S. Army, which sponsored SHR’s No. 39 Chevy for 12 races this season, announced earlier this month that it was pulling its NASCAR sponsorship, opting to spend that money on other marketing initiatives.

Driver of the No. 39, Ryan Newman is not under contract for the 2013, though SHR would like to bring him back if sponsorship can be worked out. In addition to the Army, the No. 39 has been sponsored by Tornados, Quicken Loans,Outback Steakhouse, Wix Filters, and Aspen Dental. Bass Pro Shops also sponsored the team for one race.

Danica Patrick is slated to join the SHR stable full time in 2013 bringing with her sponsorship from GoDaddy, who has sponsored Patrick in the Indy Car Series, the ARCA Racing Series and the Nationwide Series.

No changes in sponsorship are expected for the No. 14, which is currently sponsored by Office Depot and Mobil 1. Bass Pro Shops appeared on that car for one race, as well.

There are rumors that Newman could leave SHR and join a new team formed by Michael Andretti, though Andretti called a move to the Sprint Cup Series in 2013 highly unlikely.

Penske Seeking Sponsor For Third Car, Hornish

Michael J Smith — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 17:16:21 +0000

Penske Racing is still planning on running three teams next season, according to FoxSports.com. The team of Sam Hornish, however, is dependent upon securing sponsorship.

In the 2010 season, Penske fielded three Sprint Cup teams and two Nationwide teams, including the team for the series champion, Brad Keselowski. Next season, Penske will field one Nationwide team.

At this point, Hornish will drive the No. 77 Penske Dodge in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. The team is currently looking for sponsor so that it can continue to field that team beyond Daytona.

Hornish’s 2010 sponsor, Mobil 1, had to move from Hornish’s car due to an agreement the team signed with Shell Pennzoil to sponsor Kurt Busch’s No. 22 Dodge next season. Mobil1 announced earlier this year, that it would move to Stewart Haas Racing’s No. 14 Chevy with Tony Stewart behind the wheel.

In related news, Shell Pennzoil has released images of the 2011 No. 22 Shell Dodge to be driven by Busch. See images here.

Mobil 1 To Sponsor Stewart Haas Racing’s No. 14

Michael J Smith — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:20:47 +0000

Stewart Haas Racing announced that Mobil 1 has signed on to replace a departing Old Spice as co-sponsor of Tony Stewart’s No. 14 Sprint Cup Chevy. The move has been expected for quite some time.

Mobil 1 will appear as primary sponsor on the car for 11 races, and as an associate sponsor for the remaining 25 races. The team already has Office Depot signed as primary sponsor for 22 races.

Old Spice announced it would be leaving the team back in May. At the time, a spokesman for the sponsor cited a “change in our marketing strategies” as the reason.

Mobil 1 found itself looking for another team to sponsor after it was announced that Penske Racing signed a deal with Shell Pennzoil to sponsor the No. 22 and driver Kurt Busch next season.

As a result of that deal, Shell Pennzoil became the official motor oil provider of Penske, meaning Mobil 1 had to leave the team.

Nigel Searl, a VP of marketing at ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialties Company, said:

With Mobil 1’s long tradition of partnering with world-class race teams around the globe, we are proud of our new association with one of NASCAR’s top drivers. We look forward to helping Stewart-Haas Racing secure a Sprint Cup Series championship and add to the list of successful teams that Mobil 1 has supported for more than 30 years.

Stewart added:

As a team owner, I’m absolutely thrilled to add such a respected technology partner to our race team. And as a driver, it’s exciting to partner with a brand that has such an incredible racing pedigree. ExxonMobil is committed to producing the highest-quality racing motor oil and shares the same winning attitude that champions must have to succeed at this level.

The car:

Mobil 1 To Stewart Haas Racing Looks Increasingly Likely

Michael J Smith — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:36:45 +0000

Jayski is reporting that Stewart Haas Racing’s No. 14 car has emerged as the likely candidate to land Mobil 1 as a sponsor for 2011. If Mobil 1 signs with SHR to sponsor Tony Stewart and the No. 14 car, it will replace Old Spice, which announced it would be leaving the team at season’s end.

Mobil 1 was left looking for another team to sponsor after Penske Racing signed a deal with Shell Pennzoil to sponsor Kurt Busch next season.

SHR’s No. 39 will have the US Army and Tornado’s back on the car with part time schedules next season. They are currently in talks with Wix Filters about a partial sponsorship schedule next season.

Mobil 1 To Stewart Haas Racing Next Season?

Michael J Smith — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:44:11 +0000

In Marty Smith’s Door 2 Door column on ESPN.com, Smith answered a question on Tony Stewart’s sponsorship for next season.

He wrote:

Old Spice’s decision to leave the sport left a financial void at Stewart-Haas Racing. Mobil 1, who will leave Penske Racing at season’s end in the wake of the Shell-to-Kurt-Busch deal, is a likely replacement.

Old Spice decided to leave the team after this season, citing a “change in our marketing strategies” as the reason. Office Depot will remain with the team next season.

As part of the Shell-Pennzoil-to-Penske-Racing deal, Shell would become the official oil of Penske, meaning Mobil 1 will have to leave the team. ExxonMobil said they would partner with another team next season.

Hornish To Return To Penske In 2011?

Michael J Smith — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:01:11 +0000

Roger Penske, owner of Penske Racing, indicated that Sam Hornish Jr will return to Penske’s three-car Sprint Cup team in 2011, according to SceneDaily. With Mobil 1 leaving at the end of the season, thanks to a deal with Shell Pennzoil, Penske would need to find a sponsor to re-sign Hornish.

Busch Signs Five-Year Extension With Penske

Michael J Smith — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:33:11 +0000

Two days after it was reported that Shell Pennzoil agreed to sponsor Penske Championship Racing’s No. 22 Dodge, Kurt Busch has announced that he has signed a five-year extension with the team.

Busch said:

This [Shell/Pennzoil] opportunity just came up a few weeks ago and it changed the whole landscape that we ended up with. I didn’t talk to any other teams. When I weighed my options personally, with my wife, Eva, and my manager, we looked at other teams, we tried to find scenarios that would fit for us, but none of them were as powerful as creating the longevity with Penske.

Shell was only interested in signing with Penske if Busch drove the car. Busch added:

One of the prerequisites from Shell was that I would be driving the Shell/Pennzoil Dodge in 2011. That was really the only option that they gave us. So it didn’t fit for Brad [Keselowski]. It didn’t fit for Sam [Hornish Jr.]

As part of the deal with Shell, the company becomes the official motor oil of Penske, meaning that Mobil 1 will have to leave the team at the end of the season. While no new sponsor has been named for the No. 77, driven by Sam Hornish Jr, Penske has indicated that he is committed to Hornish, and having a third car.

Verizon, which currently sponsors the No. 12 driven by Keselowski, could move to the No. 77. But, because the team cannot put its logos on the car due to NASCAR’s exclusive agreement with Sprint, there has been speculation that Verizon might leave.

ExxonMobil To Partner With Another Team Next Year?

Michael J Smith — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:38:47 +0000

Following the reports that Shell/Pennzoil would leave Richard Childress Racing and driver Kevin Harvick to join Penske Racing and driver Kurt Busch, SceneDaily is reporting that Shell will become the official oil of Penske, meaning Mobil 1 will leave the team. ExxonMobil issued a statement indicating it would partner with another team next year.

Shell To Sponsor Penske, Busch

Michael J Smith — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 01:32:58 +0000

According to the Charlotte Observer, Shell has agreed to a deal to sponsor Kurt Busch at Penske Racing. Busch will drive the No. 22, the Observer states. Meanwhile, Brad Keselowski will move to a Dodge with Busch’s current sponsor, Miller Lite. With Shell moving to Penske, Mobil 1 is expected to leave. Busch is also said to have signed an extension with Penske.