NASCAR fans love fast food, so it seems only natural that Burger King jump into the sponsorship game, sponsoring the Michael Waltrip-owned #00 car piloted by Bill Elliott. Elliott has formerly driven for McDonald's--do we see a trend? More importantly, will we see the creepy Burger King from the commercials and web videos driving around the track?

After driving around the track for several hours in the heat of competition, it is a wonder that more drivers don't let four-letter words slip. But drivers are cautious about what they say and usually let their frustrations simmer until they are away from the cameras and from the fines levied by NASCAR. Apparently this is not good enough for the AFA, who polices the airwaves and reports their objections back to the FCC, recently resulting in a $3.6 million fine against the CBS show Without A Trace. Following Sunday's race, an angry team member of Martin Truex's crew referred to a car as a "piece of s---", prompting the AFA to complain to the FCC against Fox. That's where they're wrong: the car was actually WORSE than a "piece of s---"...

NASCAR stars lined up to offer condolences to family and team members of Rahal Letterman Racing's Paul Dana, the promising IRL driver who's life was cut short on Sundayin preparation for the race at Homestead-Miami. NASCAR drivers, especially those with experience on the open-wheel circuit like Jeff Gordon and Robby Gordon were particularly moved to reflect on the extreme dangers present in open-wheel racing, where speeds routinely hit 200+ mph. No stranger to losing drivers, NASCAR recently honored the 5 year anniversary of the death of one of its biggest stars, Dale Earnhardt.

Capitalizing on the NASCAR travel market and the 100,000+ fans that take trips to races each week during the racing season, Holiday Inn has announced that it will be the primary sponsor for 10 races during the 2006 season. Holiday Inn follows Best Western into the NASCAR mix--can the day be far off when the Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons offers NASCAR weekend packages?

Bill Lester, driver of the #23 Waste Management Dodge, will become the first African American driver in over 20 years to qualify for a NASCAR Nextel Cup race at this weekend's race in Atlanta. Lester, a former engineer for Hewlett Packard and regular competitor in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series, represents a changing shift in the demographic of both drivers and fans. From Lester's breaking of racial barriers to Erin Crocker's move through the gender barriers, their efforts have shown that even NASCAR can be open and accepting to competitors other than old white guys. Waste Management should also be commended as a big backer of NASCAR's drive for diversity, sponsoring not only Lester but developmental drivers Jesus Hernandez and Allison Duncan.

Time Magazine's March 20th, 2006 cover story is on "What's Next", highlighting the annual look of what's new and innovative in politics, movies, technology and sports. One story focuses on the safety and research and development that will produce the car of the future for NASCAR. The in-depth story drills down into an issue that both fans and drivers have been following--now laid bare for the 3+ million readers of Time.

Residents of New York City and surrounding area have been split on the prospect of a track coming to the outskirts of the Big Apple. But supporters got a big boost when Mayor Michael Bloomberg came out in support of the effort, praising NASCAR as a sport and voicing concern over what might be located in its place in Bloomfield if a NASCAR track did not materialize. RPM can see it now..."Meet me at Nobu before heading out to the track..."

UI Professor Steve Ross contends that the structure of NASCAR, which allows for the entry of new teams and is governed by a body that is separate from team owners offers a better experience for fans. A continuing interest by academics mean that NASCAR will be analyzed in depth by law, business, sociology (and other disciplines) professors. Look for a book on the subject by Ross and co-author Stefan Szymanski soon...

Combining charity, NASCAR, and poker is always a good thing. And when NASCAR comes to Las Vegas for a race, it makes sense that top drivers who gamble every weekend will get together to play cards and raise money for charity. Where else where you see NASCAR stars like Gordon and Stewart sitting alongside poker stars like Moneymaker, Nguyen, and "Jesus" Ferguson? Check the link for some great photos...

It's no surprise that NASCAR continues to grow as a sport, but casual observers might be shocked to learn that women account for more than 40% of the fan base. Is it the hunky drivers? The festival-like atmosphere? While it may be hard to pin down exactly why NASCAR is seeing more women watching NASCAR, one group is certainly pleased--NASCAR sponsors. Women shop, women spend money...is the Dove racing team far behind?

Since motorcycle racing has seen huge growth alongside other X-games style sports in the past few years, it seems only natural that the stars of the sport are looking to see how they can capitalize on their fame and success. Two stars, James "Bubba" Stewart and Ricky Carmichael have stated that NASCAR might be in their future. After mastering the world of two-wheel racing, betting on them to succeed on four wheels would appear to be safe money.

Fenway Sports Group, which includes Red Sox owner John Henry, has dipped its toe into the NASCAR waters. With their associate sponsorship of a truck in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the sports marketing subsidiary has an eye towards putting their money behind NASCAR. Does this mean we could see Jeff Gordon in a Red Sox uniform? Or David Ortiz behind the wheel of a Jack Roush car?

Continuing a tradition started with their sponsorship of Dale Earnhardt, Snap-On announced that they will extend their associate sponsorship of DEI's drivers with a multi-year renewal. Not a bad deal for either side--Snap-On is synonymous with racing, and DEI's drivers in recent years have been synonymous with winning.

While it always seems that sponsors are knocking each other over to throw their hat into the NASCAR ring, one sponsor has gone on record that they will not enter the fray. According to Robert Clarke, President of Honda Performance Development, Honda will not follow rival Toyota into NASCAR. While Honda will continue their involvement with open-wheel racing, but stock car racing will have to wait...

NASCAR fans, so used to being inundated by sponsor messages on cars, uniforms, shirts, hats and everything else that could hold a logo, might be shocked to learn that newest member of the NASCAR family will have no sponsorship. As part of the deal with the city of Charlotte, winner of the lottery to host the NASCAR Hall of Fame which will be built and open to the public by the end of the decade, no sponsorship will be permitted. While there is a lot of time between now and when the Hall of Fame is set to open, it appears that NASCAR management is set on keeping the focus on the sport--not the sponsors.