NASCAR WCUP: Budwwiser, Major League Baseball unveil All-Star car with Earnhardt Jr.

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

April 21, 2001

No. 8 Budweiser Car To Feature New Paint Scheme For Races In Charlotte & Daytona Beach; Budweiser.com Offers Online Sweepstakes

TALLADEGA, Ala.– As Major League Baseball prepares to stage its annual All-Star Game on July 10, Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, is gearing up for some all-star performances of his own.

Budweiser – the “Official Beer” of Major League Baseball (MLB) and NASCAR – will celebrate the 2001 All-Star Game with a special paint scheme on Earnhardt Jr.’s Budweiser car during two races this summer: The Winston all-star event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 19 and the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., on July 7. The MLB All-Star Game is scheduled for July 10 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Wash.

“Budweiser is proud to sponsor Major League Baseball and NASCAR, and we’re always looking for creative, impactful ways to cross-promote our sports properties,” said TonyPonturo, vice president of corporate media and sports marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc.

“Our Budweiser MLB All-Star Game car is a great way to take advantage of NASCAR’s popularity to help generate additional excitement for baseball’s mid-summer classic,” Ponturo said.

Paint Scheme & Uniform

The car’s 2001 MLB All-Star Game paint scheme features a white color with red stitching similar to a baseball’s, around the lower body and roof. The hood features an official Budweiser / 2001 MLB All-Star Game logo.

A red No. 8 appears on the car’s doors and roof, and the “Budweiser” script on the car’s left and right rear quarter panels. The sides feature images of a baseball player pitching and running, while the rear television panel features an image of a hitter and the “MLB on Fox” logo (Charlotte) or Budweiser.com script (Daytona). Additionally, Earnhardt Jr.’s racing suit for both races will be white with pinstripes, red upper sleeves and thick red piping down the sides of the legs with “Budweiser” lettering. The “Bud” script is featured across the chest and on the shoulders. The 2001MLB All-Star Game logo appears on the back.

“MajorLeague Baseball is very excited to bring the thrill of our summer jewel event to the fast-paced world of NASCAR and its legions of fans,” said Tim Brosnan, Executive Vice President, Business for Major League Baseball. “By joining with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Budweiser for this program, the 2001 All-Star Game race car is sure to be a tremendous success both on and off the track."

Budweiser.com Sweepstakes

From May 15 to June 15, consumers 21 and older can register on Budweiser.com to win a “Dale Earnhardt Jr. MLB All-Star Experience.” The grand prize winner of the promotion wins a trip for two to meet Earnhardt Jr. during All-Star Workout Day at Safeco Field on July 9 and attend the 2001 MLB All-Star Game. The sweepstakes winner also will take batting practice on the field and receive tickets for the MLB Home Run Derby.

Additionally, consumers can win tickets to an upcoming NASCAR Winston Cup Series event through the sweepstakes.

“This is going to be fun for a lot of reasons,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Race fans love special paint schemes, and I think they’ll enjoy the baseball theme. We’re going to do all we can to defend The Winston victory last year and win one at Daytona for Budweiser and Major League Baseball.”

Through Action Performance Companies, Inc., baseball caps, t-shirts, die-cast racing cars and other novelty items, celebrating the alliance among Budweiser, MLB and NASCAR will be available. Consumers can make purchases during select NASCAR events, on MLB.com and through specialty motorsports catalogs.

Text provided by J. Gurss

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.