NASCAR And AT&T Reach Agreement; Logos To Go Back On RCR’s No. 31 Till 2008
Sep 07, 2007
CIA Stock Photos
The legal wrangling between AT&T and NASCAR appears to have reached an amicable resolution.
The logos of the telecommunications company were back on Jeff Burton’s No. 31 on Friday after an agreement was reached between Sprint/Nextel and Richard Childress Racing. TSN.ca
The parties involved announced on Friday that AT&T can remain as sponsor of the No. 31 Chevrolet that is owned by Richard Childress Racing and driven by Jeff Burton through the 2008 season. Then the decals will have to come off the car. The original contract between Childress and AT&T would have run through 2010. RICK MINTER, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Under the terms of the agreement, RCR will be able to compete with AT&T logos through the end of next season, but Burton’s car must have a new sponsor by 2009. RCR employees began applying AT&T decals to the No. 31 car and transporter early Friday afternoon at Richmond International Raceway.
“We’re ready to move forward,” NASCAR vice president Jim Hunter said. “I think it’s really good, because no one likes litigation.” David Caraviello, NASCAR.COM
“We are finalizing an agreement that protects the integrity of our sponsorship,” said Dean Kessel, director of NASCAR Nextel Cup Series marketing for Sprint Nextel. “We are giving RCR and Jeff Burton an appropriate amount of time to transition to a new sponsor while remaining focused on winning the championship. That is the best solution for RCR, NASCAR, Sprint and racing fans.” Lee Spencer, FOXSports.com
