Red Bull may be leaving

[call_me_andrew]

From Jayski:


•Red Bull leaving NASCAR? UPDATES: Multiple people familiar with the decision say Red Bull [#4-Kahne & #83-Vickers] plans to leave NASCAR at the end of this season. Those familiar with the decision also say a team official traveled to Michigan Speedway last weekend to inform industry leaders of Red Bull's decision. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement has not been made to team employees. Red Bull is both the owner and sponsor of the two-car NASCAR team. The team has struggled since its 2007 entry into NASCAR. Red Bull also owns a pair of two-car Formula One teams. Current points leader Sebastian Vettel is the reigning world champion and has won five of seven Grand Prix races this season.(Associated Press (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/2011-06-20-1728343145_x.htm))(6-20-2011)
UPDATE: Sources say employees at Red Bull Racing have been told that the NASCAR Sprint Cup operation will close at the end of the year. A surprise visit by race director Thomas Ueberall had crew members scrambling for job openings at Michigan this weekend. Two scenarios mentioned for the existing equipment could be general manager Jay Frye bringing in investors and starting a new operation with Mark Martin and engines from Hendrick Motorsports, a plan that Frye had tried to expedite over the last two years with pushback from Austria. The hot rumor of late has been the return of Ray Evernham in an ownership role similar to Tony Stewart's at SHR, with Red Bull as the sponsor. On Monday Evernham told FOXSports.com he "had zero desire to be an owner again." Evernham said he had no knowledge on a Red Bull deal. Apparently, Red Bull was fairly far down the line in negotiations with Clint Bowyer for the #4 ride next season. It was one of the few companies that could afford Bowyer. Another dilemma with the Red Bull situation is what happens to Cole Whitt, who currently drives for the organization in the Camping World Truck Series. Certainly, if Frye acquires the assets, Whitt must be part of that plan.(Fox Sports] (http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/Red-Bull-Racing-facing-NASCAR-Sprint-Cup-change-062011))(6-20-2011)
UPDATE 2: Statement from Red Bull Racing: "Red Bull Racing Team is currently seeking outside investors as we evaluate next steps in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. We are not at liberty to comment on details while negotiations are under way. Red Bull fully supports NASCAR for the remainder of the 2011 season as we fight for victories and a position in the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup."(Red Bull Racing)(6-20-2011)

Have they grown weary of sponsoring everything that moves?

[Lee Roy]

NASCAR - CUP: Red Bull Out Of NASCAR (http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-red-bull-out-of-nascar-sprint/)


No reason for Red Bull's leaving has been given, but the energy drink markets to the 18-to-34 age group — the demographic NASCAR has consistently lost in its current ratings slide.

The above statement makes the most sense to me. Us "older folks" aren't quite as susceptable to a high dollar marketing campaign to buy overpriced soda that tastes like cough syrup. I remember buying one out of curiosity on my way to Indy for the first the USGP in 2000. Haven't touched one since.

[NickFalzone]

NASCAR - CUP: Red Bull Out Of NASCAR (http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-red-bull-out-of-nascar-sprint/)



The above statement makes the most sense to me. Us "older folks" aren't quite as susceptable to a high dollar marketing campaign to buy overpriced soda that tastes like cough syrup. I remember buying one out of curiosity on my way to Indy for the first the USGP in 2000. Haven't touched one since.

I'm not so sure about that Lee Roy. Have 18-34 ratings dropped a bit in the last few years? Yeah, but a fairly modest drop. Bigger reason imo is the turmoil that this team has had, both on and off track. The on-track results have not improved since 09 and NASCAR costs a hell of a lot to run well. They probably figured they were spending the max they could on the team, and were nowhere near the results they wanted.. so good reason to leave. I think personally they should have transferred their sponsorship money to a better performing team rather than leave the sport entirely. But they seem to take some pride in team ownership, and clearly that has not worked out very well.

[Lemmy-Boy]

"They never really had the level of success (in NASCAR) that I'm sure they were hoping for," says Zak Brown, founder and CEO of Just Marketing. "And on the flip side, you have enormous success around Formula One. I'd probably say it's a combination of both, and I'm not sure there was ever the same level of excitement and passion (for NASCAR). (Red Bull owner) Dietrich (Mateschitz) is a winner, and he's not going to go on forever if he doesn't get the results.

"They knew going into this the average age of the fan wasn't 18," Brown said. "It's not like (NASCAR) was once the X Games."

Source: Lack of success drives Red Bull to pull out of NASCAR - USATODAY.com (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2011-06-20-Red-Bull-Racing-NASCAR_n.htm)

[00steven]

I hope they don't leave, they have been a great sponsor in the sport.