There are few sponsors as visible as NAPA in the Cup garage. Between a fulltime sponsor of the #55 car and a comprehensive ad campaign, the auto parts company is spending big bucks on NASCAR. Since 2001, they have backed, some might say blindly, Michael Waltrip. Despite only four wins–none since 2003–and a litany of troubles, NAPA is still on the hood of the Waltrip car. Here’s five possible reasons why the marriage has lasted this long.
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If you can’t sponsor the car in Victory Lane, at least back one that drops out of races early to ensure camera time.
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Waltrip promised NAPA execs he could land Dale J. They thought Dale Junior, he gave them Dale Jarrett.
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NAPA wants to penetrate the key, “guy with too many things on his plate and can’t finish any of them” demographic.
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NAPA doesn’t sell jet fuel, so why should that be a problem?
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With all of the replacement parts orders from MWR, NAPA actually comes out ahead each season.
Note: I usually write top ten lists, but seriously, there aren’t even ten fictitious reasons why NAPA is still with MWR.
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