UPS: We have not entered formal negotiations with any team

By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

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UPS officials released a statement Monday saying the company is not currently in negotiations with any specific Sprint Cup team or driver.

UPS currently sponsors Michael Waltrip Racing and the No. 44 Toyota driven by David Reutimann. MWR Vice President Cal Wells has said that UPS has had preliminary discussions with six teams about what cars and drivers they would have open for 2009 and "UPS is doing exactly what they should be doing. We either earn the business back or we won’t."

But to say that UPS has started negotiations with any team is not accurate, according to a company official.

“As of this date, UPS is not engaged in formal active sponsorship negotiations with any NASCAR Sprint Cup driver or race team,” read the statement, attributed to UPS Director of Sponsorship & Events Ron Rogowski.

“As a proactive and responsible corporation, we have an obligation to maintain an ongoing process of measurement and evaluation of all sponsorships. We have an ongoing interest in understanding available opportunities, but that itself does not imply any change in current commitments.”

With Dale Jarrett's retirement this year, UPS is looking for another face for a long-term campaign. One of the drivers often mentioned is Carl Edwards, who right now is sponsored by Office Depot. Roush Fenway Racing and Office Depot currently are in an exclusive negotiating period for Edwards.

"UPS went to six or eight race teams, visited them, to get all the inventory that they all had," Roush Fenway President Geoff Smith said Saturday. "And from that, they told us they would cut it down amongst the teams. … There's been no negotiating.

"I have never seen a term sheet from UPS, none of the things that would go into an agreement have been discussed at all. They are a great sponsor, certainly, and we sure would be interested in talking to them if they’re interested after, and if this doesn’t work out with Office Depot. But I have no idea that it’s not going to work out with Office Depot either. I’m hoping it does. The easiest sponsor you have is the one you already know."