Miller throws down beer gauntlet
By DAVID POOLE
The Charlotte Observer

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Miller Brewing Company is putting its paint scheme where its mouth is, challenging Budweiser to accept a bet for the upcoming Nextel Cup season.

Tom Long, chief marketing officer for Miller, sent a letter on Friday to Anheuser-Busch vice president of brand management Marlene Coulis offering a wager that Kurt Busch, driving the No. 2 Dodges sponsored by Miller, will finish ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet in this year's final standings.

The stakes?

The loser must change his paint scheme to the winning brand's colors for one Nextel Cup points race in 2007.

Budweiser has until the start of Sunday's Daytona 500 to accept the bet.

"Healthy, fun-spirited competition is the essence of sport and of business; and the Miller versus Bud battle is one great example of this," Long said. "We both have a great tradition in the sport, and a little added public competition will be fun for everyone, especially the winner."

 

Ahhh.... no thanks. I wouldn't be able to get that picture of Kurt Busch driving the Budweiser colors out of my head...... frightening.