NAPA Auto Parts leaving Michael Waltrip Racing at end of year UPDATES: NAPA posted the following message on their Facebook page Thursday morning:
"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."(9-19-2013)
UPDATE: Gaylord Spencer, NAPA's Vice President, Marketing Strategy, sent the following company bulletin Thursday morning:
"NAPA announced today that, after due consideration, it has decided to
end its sponsorship arrangement with Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR)
effective December 31, 2013. As many of you are aware, NASCAR
determined that MWR attempted to manipulate race results at Richmond,
Virginia, on September 7, 2013. NASCAR assessed a large fine, deducted
50 points from each of the three MWR drivers in the race and suspended
or banned other members of the MWR team.
NAPA believes in fair play and we are very disappointed in the actions
that led to the NASCAR penalties. We have made NAPA s decision known to
MWR and posted a statement on our Facebook page. There will be
significant media coverage and discussion among racing fans and we
expect that our decision to terminate our sponsorship will generate
additional attention. The decision was difficult, but we believe is the
right thing to do.
We appreciate in advance your support of our marketing efforts. We will
continue to evaluate our future position as it relates to motorsports."
MWR Statement: Michael Waltrip Racing respects the decision NAPA
announced today following the events at Richmond. There is no doubt,
the story of Michael Waltrip Racing begins with NAPA Auto Parts, but
there are many more chapters yet to be written. MWR has the
infrastructure and support of Toyota for three teams plus three
Chase-caliber, race-winning drivers. With the support of our corporate
partners we are preparing to field three teams in 2014. MWR is a
resilient organization capable of winning races and competing for the
championship and that remains our sole focus. (MWR)
Michael Waltrip Statement: NAPA has been with me from winning
two Daytona 500s, to missing races with a new start-up team, and back to
victory lane again. The relationship grew far past that of just a
sponsor, but more of a partner and a friend. We will not be racing a
NAPA car in 2014, but I have friendships that will last a lifetime. To
the fans and those who made their voice heard through social media, as
the owner, I am responsible for all actions of MWR. I sincerely
apologize for the role our team played and for the lines NASCAR has
ruled were crossed by our actions at Richmond. NASCAR met with the
competitors in Chicago and we all know how we are expected to race
forward. (MWR)(9-19-2013)
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