iNSIDE SCOOP: Dodging a Bullet

With NAPA headed out at the end of the season, Michael Waltrip Racing was looking at institutional chaos. Some $16 million a year had just walked out the door, and sponsors like that do not grow on trees.

The No. 56 team was gutted. No sponsor past Homestead, no money coming in to replace it. Martin Truex Jr. went from in the Chase to out of the Chase in short order and is now looking at being out of a ride. 

To say things were desperate would be an understatement. To say that the entire organization was threatened was even more so, especially if 5-Hour Energy took a powder as well. They hadn’t made a decision as of today, preferring to put it off until the end of the season.

Merry Christmas, indeed.

But, this morning, a statement from the company was issued and that will not be a problem for MWR any longer.

“This week the 5-hour ENERGY®team met after the New Hampshire race to discuss our future with Michael Waltrip Racing,” the statement read. “While our original plan was to announce the status of our sponsorship at the end of the year, this timeframe left many concerned about their future.  There are scores of passionate fans, numerous charitable organizations, and hundreds of hard-working MWR employees and their families who are directly impacted by 5-hour ENERGY’s NASCAR sponsorship.  After several internal discussions and meetings with MWR, we are prepared to announce our decision ahead of schedule. 5-hour ENERGY® will be back as a sponsor of MWR and Clint Bowyer for 2014. We look forward to another great year of competitive racing.  Go 15!”

The collective release of held breath was massive up in Cornelius, I would bet. 

I think 5-Hour Energy gets it. Yes, their driver was involved in a “scandal” that altered the outcome of a race and potentially a championship. OK, fine; it happened. The team was penalized, Truex was booted out of the Chase and Waltrip had to open the checkbook for $300,000, not exactly chump change no matter how big your bankroll.

But, I would bet the image of the 5-Hour Energy car spinning at Richmond was seen by more people than even the No. 48 of Jimmie Johnson that week, and everybody knows who the sponsor is. They spell the name right, too.

Plus, I think the folks at 5-Hour are sticking around to see where the sport takes them, and to see which way the integrity angle plays out. Pointed comments at New Hampshire lead me to believe that there’s a grudge of sorts against NASCAR’s top executive. That ought to be fun to watch, if it proceeds.

In any event, MWR has two fully funded teams to play with in 2014, with the possibility of a third. NAPA won’t be back, but another sponsor might want to take the opportunity to get in with an up-and-coming driver who was in the Chase until the team’s tomfoolery caught up with him.

I think Truex is in the driver’s seat on this one, as Waltrip knows what he cost the Clam Prince this season.