Miller Still Awaiting Word From Anheuser-Busch
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Feb 16, 2007
Miller Brewing Company today announced it has not yet received a response from Anheuser-Busch on its NASCAR challenge, which pits the #2 Miller Lite car against the #8 Budweiser car in a season-long points battle. While a quote attributed to Dale Earnhardt Jr. was released earlier this week, it does not address Miller Lite’s challenge to Budweiser.
“It is no secret there is a friendly, competitive rivalry between Miller and Anheuser-Busch, and we think this challenge is an engaging way to bring that competitive spirit to life for sports fans,†said Tom Long, Miller’s president and CEO. “After all, we are in the beer business … and beer is supposed to be fun. Maybe sports fans, especially fans of the #8 car, should weigh in and let A-B know how they feel.â€
Perhaps the folks at Anheuser-Busch have simply done their homework and are unwilling to take any chances on the performance of the #8 car versus the #2 team. Despite the seemingly common perception that the Budweiser car has outperformed the Miller Lite car in recent years, history tells a different story. Over the past seven seasons, the #2 Miller Lite car has finished higher than the Budweiser car in the year-end standings four times.
Miller Lite announced its 2007 NASCAR challenge to Budweiser Friday, this time putting naming rights to the companies’ hometown ballparks on the line for a 2008 regular-season series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals. If the Miller Lite car finishes ahead of the Budweiser car in the season standings, Busch Stadium will be renamed Miller Lite Stadium for a to-be-determined 2008 series in St. Louis between the Cardinals and the Brewers. If the Budweiser car finishes the season ahead of the Miller Lite car, Miller Park will be renamed Budweiser Park for a 2008 series in Milwaukee between the same two teams.
Anheuser-Busch has yet to respond to this year’s challenge. Earnhardt Jr. issued a written statement, but Miller Lite issued the challenge to Earnhardt’s sponsor, which has been silent so far. The St. Louis-based brewer has until noon (EST) Sunday to accept the friendly wager.
