The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing has begun marketing entitlement sponsorship of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series beginning with the 2009 season. This follows a decision by Sears that its Craftsman brand will forgo its sponsorship rights following the 2008 season. "Craftsman has been a great, longstanding partner and intends to remain in the sport," said Steve Phelps, NASCAR Chief Marketing Officer, in a joint announcement with Sears. "The current series name will continue through the 2008 season with the same great commitment Craftsman has demonstrated throughout its 13-year history as the series' entitlement sponsor." "The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series represents some of the world's best racing; the season championship has been determined in the final race of the year in 12 of 13 seasons - including 2007," Phelps said. "The series continues to attract some of NASCAR's most avid fans because of its intense, side-by-side competition." "Craftsman has been the sponsor of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since its inception in 1995 and since then we have developed strong relationships with millions of loyal NASCAR fans we value greatly," said Scott Howard, Manager of Marketing Partnerships for Sears. "While we will be relinquishing title sponsorship of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at the end of 2008 we continue to explore new opportunities within NASCAR."(NASCAR PR)(12-4-2007)

just when you thought all the sponsorship issues were over with, now Craftsman is leaving. That's too bad, I thought it was a good fit with the Truck series. I wonder if some of the sponsors that were bidding for the Busch series will try for this.