WOW! Some hot news from the Indy Racing League today. Coca-Cola North America has signed a multi-year agreement with the Indy Racing League to sponsor them through 2010.
This is HUGE! Probably the biggest sponsor ever to align themselves with the IRL. As with NASCAR, there are incredible marketing possibilties available. We all know (and love) those Coca-Cola commercials with our NSACAR guys. Now the IRL guys can ham it up in front of the camera's now too with their new favorite beverage.
I support Coke, because they support auto racing. Actually, my cousin works for them, and Coke pays a lot of money for its employees to spend some one-on-one time with the drivers. My cousin sent a pic he had made with Smoke at the Mark Martin dealership recently. Cool stuff.
GREAT! I love Coke and I needed a reason to leave the Idgets at NASCAR. Thanks COKE! I want to see Danica in a little Santa suit during the holidays now!!! "I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect Harmony!!!" IRL it is for me now...HOT DAMN!
I would imagine Coke pays a lot less to sponsor IRL than NASCAR charges for their sponsorship rights. Makes me think NASCAR is price gouging their sponsors.
Perhaps NASCAR shoud further check out their sponsors that promise big bucks but can't deliver till the end of their contracts.
Its the only thing I drink, Its also the most sold thing in the most countrys spelled the same way, or to say the product in many counrtys with the same lettering. I know whats that got to do with IRL. LOL Beaver has drop a nut !
We need to get behind this, and make a series that promotes racing rather than stifling it with rules. Danica for President! Is she old enough? Hmmm...okay Coke sponsor THIS!
I kinda think it's sacrilege considering Coca Cola is based in Atlanta! Whatever... Has NASCAR alienated Coke? Seems like that's where their heart should be... Just me thinkin' again...
Gerrel- Now Im just hoping that California Speedway will bring them back. That is also cool that Coke has climbed on board. Im not a Pepsi drinker. Ive been a fan of open wheel since my way younger days. I remember going to the Ontario Motor Speedway to watch them run.
Forensic - I think you're right...Coca-Cola is the number one cola product in most countries across the globe. Another reason that they will be a great sponsor is because many of the IRL drivers are from other countries. (where Coke is sold).
YeeMum - Yep this is true. My hubby emailed me the article from two different sources. One was from the Indy Racing Leaque news service. No doubt about it's validity.
This is a great sign that the de-splitting of open wheeled racing in the U.S. has legs.
We have a long way to go, but this is a critical early step to the restoration of the series to something approaching it's heyday (the 50's thru mid-80's). Relaxing the formula would be another - but only when there are a surplus of teams and the series has clearly turned the corner.
BeaverNut - Nice to see you back here again. I sense that you a a big Danica fan, lol. As for her age, she just turned 25 last year.
Dwindy - I hadn't thought of that aspect with Coke. But yeah, their headquarters is based in Atlanta, which is really NASCAR land. I seem to recall that a number of the NASCAR tracks actually promote the Pepsi products though. And the most famous Pepsi guy in NASCAR...Jeff Gordon.
3fan - Yep, seems like it's an either or choice at the tracks. And since many of the tracks don't allow cooler's (or small ones only) the fan's are forced to accept the tracks choice of beverages.
Since Ontario Motor Speedway is only a distant memory for the fans, you are lucky to say that you had a chance to see a race there. At least you have the Fontana race track now.
Dave - Good to see you back in blog land! I agree having Coke as a series sponsor can only increase the marketing presence of the series. We'll have to see how things shape us as 2008 continues, and when the IRL puts together the schedule for 2009.
NASCAR better look out...IRL may be able to give them a run for their sponsor's money if they arent careful. NOT an April 1 Day joke either! Good scoop!
Great news. Now Tony George, let's start putting more street circuit races on the schedule to make it the most complete auto-racing series in the world - ovals, super-speedways, road and street courses.
Thanks Gerrel. Yes I really think Danica is a living doll and wish I were young enough to stalk her....uhhhh interest her. As I recall you have to be over 35 to be President so i will wait for her to grow up some more. But, damn sure Danica looks better in a Bikini than hillary! GAWD EEEESH!!! YUCK! Poooey!
KLV - I think that Coke will definitely get some mileage out of their IRL sponsorship. Because of NASCAR's current sponsorship with Sprint, any other sponsor would be taking a back seat for now.
Noahspop - Let's have a toast with Coke! It was great to see more cars on the grid last week. Another event is up this week at St. Petersburg, FL.
Joker - Thanks for commenting. I'm not very fond of beer, so Coke would definitely be the choice for me!
moseby - This will be the year of transition for the IRL. Once the 2009 schedule is set (with a even blend of ovals, to street and road courses), I think the show will generate more fans. Then we'll get a better picture of how the integration has boosted the series.
Beaver - Well, although I admire Danica's perservance and determination in auto racing, I do not see her as a political candidate in the future -- no matter how great she may look in a bikini. Thanks for that visual of Hillary Clinton, lol.
No Doubt DP is a cutey! I just hope soon she will get that BLUE #### off of her back and win one. She has the team and car, so now it is up to her ability finally. I hope we will see a Coca Cola sponsored car soon too...cuz we all know Pepsi is the best at copying and they will want their label ou there
Longtime auto racing fan from the mid 1980's, I attend about 9 race weekends each year between Indy 500 qualification s, IRL and NASCAR races in the Midwest area.
