National Guard to end motorsport sponsorship programs after 2014

IndyCar, IndyCar News/Releases, IndyCar team PR — By on August 6, 2014 8:46 pm

The National Guard will end its IndyCar and NASCAR sponsorship programs after the 2014 season according to Military Times.

The Army National Guard is ending its sponsorship of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Indy Racing League driver Graham Rahal, the component announced Wednesday.

The decisions follow an “intensive internal review,” according to the announcement.

“Significantly constrained resources and the likelihood of further reductions in the future call for more innovative and cost-effective ways of doing business,” said Maj. Gen. Judd Lyons, acting director of the Army Guard, in the announcement.

The Army Guard spent $32 million on its NASCAR sponsorship and $12 million on the IndyCar sponsorship for 2014, according to the announcement.

The Army Guard came under fire earlier this year for spending $26.2 million to sponsor NASCAR racing in 2012 to boost its marketing and recruiting but failing to sign up a single new soldier through the program, according to a USA Today report.

For the full report, click here.

A statement from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team owner Bobby Rahal:

“We were informed this afternoon that the National Guard will end all sponsorship of motorsports, including both IndyCar and NASCAR, at the conclusion of the 2014 seasons. This is obviously very disappointing news to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing given the significant incremental brand exposure we have worked to produce for the National Guard in our first season together, including various off-track marketing and advertising programs focused on supporting the mission set forth. We will continue to work hard to uphold the honor and integrity of the National Guard throughout the remainder of the season. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing would like to thank the National Guard for allowing us the privilege of representing some of the finest men and women, those ‘citizen soldiers’ that protect our freedoms and safety each and every day, as we Focus Forward.”

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