Wallace says sponsor GEICO has decided its 2010 plans
By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Sam Greenwood
Getty Images
SPARTA, Ky. – Mike Wallace said Friday at Kentucky Speedway that sponsor GEICO has indicated what it wants to do after next season, and it appears it won’t be sponsoring Wallace.
GEICO, an insurance company, is not allowed in the Nationwide Series in 2010 as part of a non-competing sponsor agreement with the series sponsor. Nationwide began sponsoring NASCAR’s No. 2 series this year.
Wallace drives the No. 7 Toyota for Germain Racing.
“We have an indication of what they’re going to do,” Wallace said of NASCAR. “Who really knows? I’ll just leave it at that.”
GEICO has been one of the most visible sponsors in the series, with its popular commercials featuring fictional Wallace relative Lauren Wallace.
NASCAR has told GEICO it could remain as a team sponsor in the Sprint Cup or Craftsman Truck series, but Wallace indicated that didn’t seem likely.
“In my case, for me to continue to race in years to come, I’ve got to go find another sponsor,” Wallace said.
Wallace said he has had many discussions with NASCAR officials about the GEICO sponsorship, saying “we’ve all come to a compromise that we agree to disagree.”
“It’s a shame because they really do a good job,” Wallace said of his sponsor. “And the title sponsor of this series is doing a good job. They’re trying to do greater things.
“It’s just a shame because you’re trying to take a supporter of this particular series – they found a niche where they like to be – and go,
‘Look, you’ve got to go away. We don’t want you around any more.’”
Popular News
-
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS: Which Sprint Cup star will snap his long winless streak first?
Comments (187) -
For Dale Earnhardt Jr., life as an Earnhardt is not easy, especially when you're not winning
Comments (139) -
Jeff Owens: Should RCR’s black No. 3 return to NASCAR’s Cup series?
Comments (120) -
Hendrick Motorsports’ Mark Martin more prepared mentally and physically for 2010
Comments (105) -
Dale Earnhardt Inc. plans for Jeffrey Earnhardt still in flux
Comments (96)
Recent Headlines
-
SEASON PREVIEW: Mike Skinner optimistic about 2010 prospects
Comments (1) -
SEASON PREVIEW: Camping World Truck Series top-20 rankings
Comments (3) -
Josh Wise to drive in Nationwide Series for Specialty Racing
Comments (2) -
HBO’s ‘24/7 Jimmie Johnson’ documentary series expected to shift into high gear tonight
Comments (25) -
SEASON PREVIEW: Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards hungry to regain place among Sprint Cup’s elite
Comments (14)
Poll PositionView All
After qualifying and the Budweiser Shootout, who is the favorite to win the Daytona 500?
Promotions
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.