NASCAR: The Sponsor Search

29th January 2007

NASCAR: The Sponsor Search

posted in NASCAR, NASCAR-nomics |

Brian Conz As anyone remotely familiar with NASCAR knows a team not only needs horsepower under the hood but horsepower on the hood as well (and the doors, quarter panels, bumpers, deck lid and that tiny spot in front of the roof camera) in the form company logos underwritten by sponsors flush will cash.

The sport has had more than a few, shall we say “odd” sponsor associations in the past. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste is one of my all time favorites (odd in name only not product line) and last year The Dianetics Racing Team, and NASCAR Driver Kenton Gray promised to “Ignite Your Potential” via its sponsorship by The Church of Scientology.

Enter NASCAR Busch Series driver Brian Conz. In addition to being a rookie driver in NASCAR second tier series he’s a Mason, not the bricklaying type, the Freemason type. The Scottish Right type.

Frank Cicci Racing’s #34 Chevy will be adorned not only with the Scottish Rite Double Eagle symbol, but also with the Shriners’ curved sword symbol and the well known Masonic Square and Compasses symbol during the 2007 season.

Why on earth are the Masons advertising on the hood of a stock car? According to Stan Dodd, who manages public relations for the Scottish Rite it all about membership:

“Like a lot of other civic groups,” he said, “we’ve seen our membership get a little older, and we’ve seen some retraction in our numbers.” Dodd says the Masons’ median age right now is in the 60s. “We need some younger members.” “The NASCAR demographics fit our demographics,” says Dodd.

When to be more specific, he just says, “Men.”

Unlike most sponsors the Freemasons have nothing to sell in the traditional sense, there will be no crockpots, T-shirts, or diecast race car replicas on display in their executive suites at the nations major speed plants.

So the question is why. Why are they spending the estimated $10 million per year for a full Busch Series sponsorship?

Joe Hill, head of public relations for Brian Conz’s racing team has the answer. The object is access, access to the movers and shakers of big business that are also Freemasons.

“We’re aligning ourselves with a dynamic, worldwide organization. We expect access and introduction to their members, who will assist us in meeting executive-level corporate leaders interested in getting involved with racing,” Hill said.

What’s that commercial say?

Tickets to The Drowsy Chaperone, $110. A night at the Ritz Hotel, $250 a night. Access to NASCAR’s cash cows… ~~Priceless!~~…. $10 million large!

UPDATE: There seems to be some dispute over the amount spent by the Freemasons. Nearest I can tell they have only purchased the right to place their logo on the hood of the #34 Chevy. That would bring the cost down to “only” $2 million for the season.

UPDATE II: “Problem” solved. Based on the following quote this promotion won’t cost the Freemasons a single dime:

But don’t worry, pie-eyed conspiracy theorists. There’s fodder in this story for you, too. What’s the Scottish Rite paying for all this national television exposure

This entry was posted on Monday, January 29th, 2007 at 6:13 pm and is filed under NASCAR, NASCAR-nomics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

1 On January 30th, 2007, Greg said:#

Probably like every shareholder, not every mason is happy with this sort of corporate endorsement.

10 million spent of membership dues, in any way shape or form, are different than business budgets made up of revenues generated from selling goods and services. But then perhaps that is what the fraternity is doing, selling its goods and services.

For the record, Freemasonry is a fraternal society dedicated to Faith, Hope, and Charity, not NASCAR, Auto Racing, or consumerism.

Not to say that auto racing isn’t into charity, individual examinations of the divine, or brotherly love (forget the Temperance, Fortitude, Prudance, and Justice), but 10 million for a picture on a hood is a loss for the charties it could do good for.

But then I suppose it takes money to make money. Maybe they will start selling shares of the institution next, and then we can all have a say.

posted on January 30th, 2007 at 11:01 am

2 On January 30th, 2007, Marc said:#

While I understand your trepidation over money spent on something you have no control over, I spent 10 years working under the UAW’s thumb at Ford Motor Company. During that time I watched the union waste millions on political candidates with opposing views than mine.

However, I have to say if the Freemasons had to do it they certainly chose the right sport. If it has to be, would you rather have it wasted on the Numerous Felons League or the steroid bloated fools in Major League baseball?

There also seems to be some dispute over the amount spent. The facts seems to indicate they have not bought a full sponsoship and “only” two million will be the cost for the full year sponsorship. (hood logo only)

Stan Dodd, who manages public relations, says they donate $2 to charity each day! So 2 million for a 10 month advertising campaign isn’t that far out of line.

That aside, the Freemasons don’t appear to be close to the soup line. They recently sold a property on Chicago’s North side for $50 million.

posted on January 30th, 2007 at 5:50 pm

3 On January 31st, 2007, Greg said:#

Marc,
True, I agree with you on the use of manpower, instead of money, but I don’t buy it. I don’t think its entirely legit. Finishing the train of thought,, from the Slate article:

posted on January 31st, 2007 at 8:10 am

4 On February 2nd, 2007, Masonic Facts said:#

Nascars first sponsor that discriminates upon gender in all 50 states and color in 10 states.

Ask the Scottish Rite if they have women members anywhere?
Ask them do they have black members in AL,GA,FL,LA,MS,TN,AR,TX,NC,SC?
Ask them why they have done anything in these states to stop racism?
Ask the Grand Commander Ron Seale why he did not address racism at the Scottish Rite during a protest rally held in Birmingham, Alabama the very day he spoke there?

posted on February 2nd, 2007 at 10:20 pm

5 On February 3rd, 2007, Marc said:#

I have a better question for you MM.

Why do you feel a private organization should have woman or blacks, or Martiansfor that matter, as members?

I could care less for any “club” whether it be the Freemasons or college fraternities or many of the others, however I will defend their right to allow, or deny membership to whom ever they chose as long as no public money is involved.

posted on February 3rd, 2007 at 3:42 am

6 On February 3rd, 2007, Masonic Facts said:#

and its okay for them to sponosr a race car in hopes of getting money for their programs?

I see what race meand in raceway, racecar, racetrack etc, etc.

Flying battle flags on “race day” and the Scottish Rite “race car” all mean stay away n____r?

Its okay for the GOVERNOR of Alabama to be a member of Scottish Rite when he is “supposed” to be the governor of all the citizens????

PLEASE!!!!!! You’re just yet another SR plant go back under the rock to hide with your racist morality.

posted on February 3rd, 2007 at 10:50 pm

7 On February 5th, 2007, Marc said:#

Its okay for the GOVERNOR of Alabama to be a member of Scottish Rite when he is

posted on February 5th, 2007 at 5:24 am

8 On February 5th, 2007, Masonic Facts said:#

There is no recall vote in Alabama.
Now crawl back under your rock with your hood and robe on.

posted on February 5th, 2007 at 9:59 am

9 On February 5th, 2007, Marc said:#

That figures, another childish response.

No recall? Funny they had the process at the time of the Chief Justice Roy Moore controversy.

And they also have available an impeachment process.

Assuming the blog you’re linking to is in fact yours, I find it rather comical you don’t allow comments. So when all is said and done you are in fact the one “hiding under a rock” and have zero interest in hearing opposing views to yours.

Be gone with you ASSHAT. One more response that contains incivility or invective and you will be banned from posting.

posted on February 5th, 2007 at 2:22 pm

10 On February 15th, 2007, nascar said:#

yeah well with all the money at stake in this industry you’d think NASCAR would be less biased and stop picking favorites and destroying the season of others

posted on February 15th, 2007 at 11:01 pm

11 On February 16th, 2007, Marc said:#

You destroy your own argument “nascar.”

“With all the money at stake in this industry” you would have to be delusional to believe NASCAR would knowingly and biasedly destroy anyone’s season and risk damage to that very same billion dollar industry.

Gee let me guess one of “your” drivers just had points taken away from them.

posted on February 16th, 2007 at 4:45 am

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