CONTRACT, WHAT CONTRACT?

In the excitement of the announcement that Angelle Savoie and Atron Brown had joined the U.S. Army-sponsored Don Schumacher stable, it seems someone forgot to look at the second tier of sponsorships. Mac Tools stayed on board when Savoie and Star Racing called it quits. The Schumacher teams gets sponsorship from Matco Tools. Oops.

Mac is considering suing to get the legalities worked out. [7-23-2003]

BIG (WHAT?) FUNNY CAR SHOOTOUT

The Agent hears that there will be a new title rights sponsor for the Funny Car Shootout at this year's NHRA U.S. Nationals. Rumor has it that a tobacco company is very interested.

Budweiser will retain the Big Bud Shootout for Top Fuelers, however. [7-23-2003]

WILLIAMS HAS THE RIGHT FORMULA FOR BUDWEISER

Anheuser-Busch expanded its sponsorship in global auto racing by joining the Williams- BMW Formula One team last week. Budweiser is one of three main sponsors of the cars driven by Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya. The deal runs through 2008 and is

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estimated to be worth about $80 million to the Williams team., but not enough to change the blue and white cars to the well-known Budweiser red. The Budweiser logo will appear on the cars and the drivers suits.

Budweiser hopes to expand Formula One interest in North America, using their sponsorship of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. in cross promotions. Budweiser would also be in position to develop an American F-1 driver. [7-23-2003]