Mixed Martial Arts company sponsoring MWR #00

Pro wrestling companies have dabbled with NASCAR sponsorships in years past (the "nWo" car comes to mind) and now it looks as if the Mixed Martial Arts ("MMA" as the kids like to say) world wants a piece of the action.

Recent upstart MMA promotion Affliction (makers of expensive multi-print t-shirts worn by fighters and fight fans) will be sponsoring Michael Waltrip's #00 car this weekend in Fontana to be driven by Mike Skinner. The car will feature the MMA company's logo and information on its second pay-per-view event which takes place October 11th in Las Vegas.

On one hand it's an interesting pairing of cultures that could work out in the end, although this may be one expense too many for Affliction, and because of them making less than what they spend, I have to question this "investment." Sure they'll get exposure as millions of people watch NASCAR, but how many of those people will order a pay-per-view because they saw the Affliction brand on a race car?

This kind of brand promotion would make sense if the Affliction name was as valuable as UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships) to where people watch UFC because they're as familiar with the brand as they are with the fighters in that company. Affliction will be lucky if any race fans watching are hardcore fans who will watch any MMA event whether they know the fighters or not (being familiar with the fighters scheduled does help though).

Okay, so even if a fraction of the racing audience this weekend decides to order the pay-per-view (or even attend the live show) it could pay off for Affliction but you have to wonder if that will be enough of a even out how much they spent to sponsor a race car. And I'm familiar with the old adage of "you need to spend money to make money" but after seeing how much this company has spent on fighters with some type of name value and spending more money on useless musical acts for their live events and bringing in very little profit to show for, I have to question if this investment and promotion vehicle (no pun intended) will be worth it in the long run. We'll obviously have to wait and see but at this moment I do not see Affliction running a third show if they keep spending so much money and are still in the red financially.

Of course this is good for MWR getting some sponsorship cash but Affliction better hope that the #00 gets TV time and that the car doesn't get caught up in a wreck.

• 5 Comments
• Michael Waltrip Racing, Mike Skinner, Affliction, Mixed Martial Arts, sponsorship

Glad to see Ambrose have a nice weekend

I've taken a liking to Marcos Ambrose since watching him race last season in the Nationwide Series and began to admire his skills on the track and his positive personality made it easy to root for the guy.

It was unfortunate to see Ambrose hit some bad luck, from getting spun out by Robby Gordon at Montreal to missing out on qualifying for Watkins Glen due to rain; to getting tangled with Boris Said in turn pissing him off and swearing revenge; then this year's Infineon race where Ambrose was way upfront including a second place run until he was taken out by Eliot Sadler. It looked as if Ambrose would've won this year's rainy Montreal race as he led 27 laps until a speeding penalty deprived Ambrose of victory and ended up finishing third.

Despite these setbacks Ambrose continued to show consistently decent performances logging in fifteen top-20 finishes in the Nationwide Series this season.

His hard work and tenacity brought Ambrose and his teams much success as he won the Nationwide race in Watkins Glen Saturday and then came in third on Sunday's Centurion at The Glen race coming from a 43rd start, Ambrose showed lots of tenacity as he raced both Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch towards the end. It was great seeing Ambrose get the win on Saturday and there was even some drama thrown in as Ambrose was following his nemesis Boris Said towards the finish line and it looked as if Said would give Ambrose a hard time getting the checkered flag. Luckily Ambrose didn't have to pass Said for the win so he continued at enough of a pace to coast to his first ever Nationwide victory, really cool seeing a nice guy like Ambrose finally get his first win.

I cannot wait to see how Ambrose does next season in Cup racing for JTG/Daugherty.

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Dazed in Dover...

First off I have to thank the folks at Rowdy for hooking me up with the opportunity to witness my first race, I really had a blast hanging out with my friend and seeing firsthand how fast these guys are on the track. I already had respect for racers but I respect them a lot more for what they do and how they keep a car running that fast in control.

Yes, and it was loud as hell, made a lot of the concerts I've been to not even compare in volume and decibels. I'm going for some earplugs next time, and a scanner (should've listened to you Lauren).

Seeing Biffle lead all those laps was pretty cool for a while but somewhere within the hundred-or-so laps I was dazing out for a while only to be ripped back into reality by a swarm of roaring engines right on turn two which where we sat above.

I missed the crash with Sadler, Stewart and others, it happened so quick and there was a bridge blocking our view, I saw it on replay from a large screen in the infield which I used to follow some of the race.

Even with it being the same five guys in front of the field, there were some guys I was rooting for in that group, was also rooting for my new favorite driver Brian Vickers (picked up one of his shirts as well).

All in all it was a great day, travel time was quicker than expected as we didn't hit too much traffic.

Now I can't wait for the September race, thanks again to the guys at Rowdy.

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Dover 400 Roll Call... and let me know where we can meet up

So besides taking in my first race I hope to meet some members of The Nation on Sunday. Me and my buddy will be leaving Philly around 8AM. Who's heading out there and where can we meet up?

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Another update... and this just in... I AM BOUND FOR DOVER!

Well, it's been a while since I've posted here. Got sidetracked with moving a little over a month ago into our new house. Still following the races of course and staying the loop listening to the podcasts.

I have posted a photo of our latest addition to the family, a little calico we named Lulu. She showed up in our backyard only days after we moved in. We took her in and once the vet gave her a clean bill of health she really became a member of the family.

Now, I have to say once again that the folks who run Rowdy are the ABSOLUTE BEST! I especially want to give a huge shout-out to Cutler and Cindy because thanks to them I am now going to be attending my first ever race at Dover next weekend.

To say that I am excited would be an understatement, and getting the tickets in the mail today really got me psyched. Dover has become one of my favorite tracks and now me and friend will be taking in the sights and sounds of a race in person. Damn right it was a good day.

So once again, thanks again Rowdy... you guys are so awesome and I can't thank you enough for this wonderful gift.

And I hope to meet some fellow Rowdy folks that day.

Everyone have a safe and great holiday weekend.

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One thing I've learned with fantasy NASCAR games online...

... never take Jr. out of my teams, I so wish I didn't swap him for Newman at the last minute.

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To all you new "people" and spam bots

NO PROFANITY HERE PLEASE.
THAT IS ALL.

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NASCAR Now segment on Alan Kulwicki

Sunday morning I caught the last fifteen minutes of NASCAR Now as they presented a segment on the late Alan Kulwicki discussing the upcoming fifteenth anniversary of his death (which is today).

Lots of emotional interviews and memories from people who knew and worked with him but the part that really put a lump in my throat was seeing the video clip of his team truck leaving Bristol Motor Speedway the following day, man was that a bummer.

Watching the profile I came to admire Kulwicki's "do-it-yourself" attitude and methods he brought to racing, I loved how some of his former crew were recalling being intimidated when Kulwicki would stand behind them or beside them as they were working on his race car and not knowing what Kulwicki was thinking as he would remain silent and observe.

And of course seeing the inception of the "Polish Victory Lap" was pretty damn cool, especially the TV announcers' reaction which made it even more gold.

Can some of the older fans here recall any memories they had of Kulwicki like some of his rivalries and/or best moment on and off the track? I only know of what I saw in that ESPN segment and some stuff I read online.

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• Alan Kulwicki

Hot Damn~! McMurray places in 5th for Martinsville

Checking the line-up for Sunday and I saw Jamie McMurray in fifth for Sunday's race.

Nice to see after hearing this week how under the gun he must have felt with having to qualify for speed in this upcoming race in Martinsville.

And looking at the practice speed stats he was 11th, and judging by his history at this track he has some good finishes and some crappy ones as well. But maybe being this close up the field McMurray can recover and get up from the downstroke to at least get a decent run and finish in turn obtaining some confidence and momentum towards the rest of the season.

We shall see...

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Reutimann gets the #44 but loses points from the #00

So I'm reading on ESPN's website that David Reutimann will not be getting his points from the #00 car transfered to Dale Jarrett's former #44 ride which Reutimann will be taking over.

This has got to be a kick in the teeth as Reutimann felt honored for being picked to inherit the 44 but he was 27th in owner's points with the 00 while the 44 is 34th and close to falling out the top 35 tier.

According to NASCAR the points-swapping deal is for when teams are restructuring and other business changes, not to give drivers better position in the points standings.

I was comparing this to the points swap in Penske where Hornish got Busch's points, and I guess that was more to help Hornish make the first few races rather than qualifying via speed, am I correct? It wasn't so much for better position as it was just to get the rookie in the race without worries, right?

Forgive my ignorance as I am still learning this sport, if any of ya'll can clear this up for me I'd appreciate it because I'm not sure if this is just another of NASCAR's inconsistencies with rules and polices or not.

As for Reutimann, one can only hope that if he's had some success in the 00 car that he can be consistent with the 44 and work his way back up, but it has to be frustrating to earn those points then have to kind of start from scratch but hey, that's life.

The lucky recipient of Reutimann's points will be Michael McDowell as he's taking over the 00 car.

• 4 Comments