Litigation between AT&T and NASCAR Affects Jeff Burton
Aug 18, 2007
CIA Stock Photos
The Richard Childress Racing No. 31 Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton showed up at Michigan International Speedway with its AT&T sponsorship logos intact for now. But they might not be there on Sunday, depending on how ongoing litigation between AT&T and NASCAR is resolved. An appeals court on Wednesday overturned an injunction against NASCAR to allow AT&T to rebrand itself from Cingular.
Speed TV.Com
Aug 17,2007
Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) Jeff Burton is one of several drivers to be featured in a five-piece, non-narrative, unscripted series, “NASCAR in Primetime,” beginning August 15 on ABC News.
The nationally syndicated show will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation, logistics, drama and competition of America’s most popular motor sport. “NASCAR in Primetime” will take an inside look at Burton’s life in the fast lane by illustrating his passion and dedication for racing in addition to the importance of having support from his family.
“I’m excited that viewers can get a glimpse of what it takes to be competitive and successful in this sport,” said Burton. “This sport strives on dedication - not only from your team members, but from your family, as well. Hopefully, this series will show viewers how exciting this sport really is and make new fans out of them as well.” The South Boston, Va., native is in his 15th year of NASCAR Cup Series competition, posting 19 victories to date, and currently sits fourth in the championship point standings. His most recent victory came when he took the checkered flag at Texas Motor Speedway in April, becoming the first repeat winner at that track. In addition to his driving duties, Burton is a long- time supporter and contributor to the Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center in Durham, N.C.
Burton, along with wife Kim and the entire No. 31 AT&T Racing team, will be featured in episode three, scheduled to air August 29. Other drivers slated to be featured in the five-part series are Stanton Barrett, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Juan Pablo Montoya, Johnny Sauter, Tony Stewart and David Stremme.
Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 160 victories and 10 NASCAR championships, including six in the NEXTEL Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. It was the first organization to win championships in the NEXTEL Cup Series, Busch Series and Truck Series. Its 2007 NEXTEL Cup Series lineup includes Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel’s), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T). Its Busch Series lineup includes Clint Bowyer (No. 2 BB&T), Harvick and Tim McCreadie (No. 21 AutoZone) and Burton and Scott Wimmer (No. 29 Holiday Inn).
ABC is the parent company of ESPN and ESPN2 among other entities. These NASCAR magazine programs are designed to get new NASCAR viewers to help shore up NASCAR’s ratings which have been off since the Spring of 2006. The ESPNs returned to covering the NASCAR Nextel Cup(starting with the Brickyard 400 at the beginning of August) and Busch Series(commencing with the opener at Daytona in mid-February). We also think that it’s a good strategy to get the over 50 years of age viewers to tune into those weekend Cup and Busch events on the ESPN cable channels.
The sound of stock cars at Daytona International Speedway, have been replaced - for the time being - by the sound of bulldozers, pavers and graders. “The World Center of Racing,” which undertook a major infield renovation project in 2004, is currently experience yet another tweak in its infield, with several alterations underway.
