Sarah Fischer Dealing with Deadbeats?

13th May 2008

Sarah Fischer Dealing with Deadbeats?

posted in Commentary, IRL |

Thanks to a tip from Tomaso comes a story of Sarah Fisher’s efforts to field her own team at Indy this month.

Tomaso points to an Indy Star article by Bob Kravitz who thinks Fisher may need to contact a collection agency to get what has been promised to the fledgling team.

One company, Gravity Entertainment is located in Fort Lauderdale, Fla, the second is ResQ, a sports-drink company.

Yeah I know what you’re thinkin’ “not ANOTHER sports drink company!” But what are you gonna do, they don’t make weed killer that works on sports drink outfits.

Both companies have made contractual promises to Sarah Fisher and at this point those contracts haven’t been fulfilled.

In my efforts to trackdown background on the Kravitz piece I discovered Gravity Entertainment announced in January they would field a new NASCAR Sprint Cup team under the banner of Gravity Motorsports. Allegedly the new team will “begin operation immediately” with the intention to test the waters in early 2008 and plans “to debut later in the season.”

At this point I haven’t heard word one about any progress this alleged new team has made, alleged being the operative word.

Via the wonders of the internet and the many search abilities available zero, nadda, ZILCH turns up when looking for a reference to the team.

What it does turn up is a Gravity Motorsports that has been in operation since 2006 and “specializes in the sales and service of motorcycle and ATV parts and accessories.”

Confused?

Not as confused as the operators of Gravity Entertainment who couldn’t be bothered to do a cursory search to ensure a name chosen for their motorsport team wasn’t in use, and by all indications at this point, haven’t lived up to obligations made to Sarah Fisher.

Am I surprised a company that produced such “epic films” as Primal Scream and The Black Belt Club is falling down on the job? Not in the least.

That said, and moving on, is the case of ResQ energy drink’s commitment to Fisher.

Again referencing the Kravitz article he notes the company’s web site “features Fisher extolling its product and its commitment to racing.”

A quick look at it shows another sad case of a brand name owner, if not the entire company, not living up to obligations made.

In fact if you take Kravitz’ word for it the company “features Fisher extolling its product and its commitment to racing.”

He didn’t lie, but the ref is mighty thin gruel to say the least. The single reference is supposedly a link to Fisher’s web site and what appears to be her press release noting she’s “excited” to have ResQ on board as a sponsor..

But it isn’t, its a link to another ResQ website.

It’s also apparent Fisher has taken down both the original press release and any ref to the company on her sponsors page. (Yeah! You go girl!)

Funny how that works, you don’t pay your bills, you get the bums rush out of the paddock door, as it should be.

I’m tempted to flood both these scofflaws with letters asking what the hell, but I suspect they would be ignored and I would also imagine Sarah via some legal recourse, like a breech of contract suit, may have much better luck than I.

Even in the best of times finding multi-million dollar sponsorships is hard and time consuming work, and with current prices in today’s marketplace effecting everyone it’s that much harder.

Making a commitment and not living up to that contractual obligation is an entirely different kettle of fish and Fisher to her credit isn’t waiting with baited breath waiting for any checks “in the mail.”

“They keep saying they’re going to wire it tomorrow, soon, today, tomorrow — it’s a ‘check is in the mail’ kind of thing,” she said, standing in her garage as rain washed out qualifying. “They’re still saying they’re going to pay us, but at this point, it’s hard for me to believe it anymore.”

It’s a pretty sad state of affairs on what Kravitz is calling the other side of the “Danica Divide” of sponsorship. A divide she’s trying to bridge through donations (pdf File) from interested fans of her and the sport.

That effort has paid some, albeit small, success at this point: “Look at this,” Fisher said Sunday, reaching into her jeans pocket to pull out a piece of folded paper.It was a personal check. From a fan. To Fisher for $100.

“I’ve gotten two or three today (Sunday),” she said, smiling.

I’ll say it again. A sad, sad state of affairs, made even more so when you see John Andretti walk into the paddock flush with cash and buy his way into a ride.

Technorati Tags: Auto racing, Sarah Fisher, Sarah Fisher Racing, IRL, IndyCar, Indy 500, Indianapolis 500

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 at 6:54 pm and is filed under Commentary, IRL. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

1 On May 13th, 2008, peterg said:#

From 96 onwards I have lost count of the number of energy drinks that have appeared in motorsport sponsorship. F1 was littered with them for a season or two. Hype/Williams, Black Stallion/Arrows etc.

And to think that dickhead Cheever lucked in big time with Red Bull in the IRL at one stage.What a waste.

Sarah’s marketing dept should have known there was a good chance this could happen……….oh! & then there is the recent breach of contract by SS OIL which basically sank Super Aguri.

posted on May 13th, 2008 at 7:51 pm

2 On May 13th, 2008, Joe said:#

Are sports drink companies the new dot commers in motorsports sponsorship? I remember the Lycos and Kevin LePage fiascos pretty well.

posted on May 13th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

3 On May 14th, 2008, Marc said:#

Don’t even bring up the name Lycos Joe, it’s almost become a cuss word in some circles, no pun intended.

BTW Joe, if you’re the Joe I think you are… how’s your “boy” Matt doing?

Last I noticed he was still posting lies masquerading as facts.

posted on May 14th, 2008 at 1:59 am

4 On May 14th, 2008, Joe said:#

yeah it’s me and I noticed that you’re no longer a friend of Frontstretch.

Look, I think you offer quite an extensive bit of knowledge. But when you constantly berate the other writer and nitpick every single thing he types, well, it’s petty and childish. You’re obviously better than that. You’re not just limited to the turn left circuit as far as your knowledge of motorsports. But week in and week out every article he writes, you dissect each sentence and comment on each and every word he writes. Frontstretch does not profess to be the final word on all things NASCAR, at least I hope not.

That’s the beauty of “blogs” websites, etc. They can throw everything against a wall and if one thing sticks, BAM! Instant credibility.

Look, you’re both entertaining in your own right. I’ve read Matt’s stuff for about 6 or 7 years when he seemed to get propped up by Jayski. I’ve started reading your stuff since I saw you posting on his columns and you mix it up with your coverage of short track, ARCA, F1 and other forms of motorsports. No tractor pull stuff I’m a little disappointed.

My main gripe is when you post your rebuttals to Matt’s columns constantly and point out his “lies” flawed logic whatever, it smacks of personal agenda. Again, shipmate, you’re above that.

posted on May 14th, 2008 at 8:11 pm

5 On May 14th, 2008, peterg said:#

Hey buddy, if a guy is not prepared to stand by the credibility of his own words on a blog he should turn off the comments feature.

posted on May 14th, 2008 at 9:55 pm

6 On May 15th, 2008, Marc said:#

First of all Joe after discussing the issue with the powers that be over there and finding out “they” have as little, and I suspect less, honesty than Matt I had them pull the link to FT.

Now - Look, I think you offer quite an extensive bit of knowledge. But when you constantly berate the other writer and nitpick every single thing he types, well, it’s petty and childish.

Every little thing Matt types? That is plain and simple horseshit! His column this week had what, probably 15-18 paragraphs?

I commented on two. One where he claimed something about Darlington Raceway (his info came from “sources”) that was in direct contradiction to what the speedways own website states (and I provided a link to that info).

He not only didn’t provide the “sources” but as in every case since March when I’ve pointed out obvious and verifiable inaccuracies in his posts he’s refused to man-up, admit his errors and move on.

For you to say I’ve picked on each and every word in every post is overblown hyperbole offered up in support of someone you obviously like. Not to mention just as dishonest as the shit Matt puts out on a weekly basis.

“Frontstretch does not profess to be the final word on all things NASCAR, at least I hope not.”

No one is not even NASCAR. So, what’s your point?

“That’s the beauty of “blogs” websites, etc. They can throw everything against a wall and if one thing sticks, BAM! Instant credibility.”

No, the beauty is publishing facts and if you fail to do that or not react with a correction when either pointed out or thru the authors own research that’s far… FAR from anything resembling credibility.

If you believe that you’re living in some alternative universe.

“Look, you’re both entertaining in your own right. I’ve read Matt’s stuff for about 6 or 7 years when he seemed to get propped up by Jayski.”

That says it all Joe, if you need propping up by Jayski, a guy who can’t assemble more than 5 coherent words together (I have the emails, ya wanna see them?) you’re one sorry individual.

There’s a reason Mclaughlin has bounced around to so many websites and NASCAR news outlets and you see it at FT. He has a complete lack of honesty in what he writes and how he debates any issue before him.

“My main gripe is when you post your rebuttals to Matt’s columns constantly and point out his “lies” flawed logic whatever, it smacks of personal agenda. Again, shipmate, you’re above that.

Well, unless you’ve been on the USS H.B. Wilson, USS England, USS O’Brien, and USS Halsey you’re not my shipmate.

I’ll tell you the same I told his boss Tom Bowles when he came crying the same disjointed tripe in defense of his Hack-in-chief Mclaughlin.

If from the very first xenophobic racist anti-Toyota rant that caught my attention he would have responded in a rational and honest way it would have ended right then and there.

His whole argument in that thread was based on the truck series being “ruined” by Toyota and his “evidence” was attendance and TV ratings were down.

I definitively proved via links that ratings had gone up every year since 2004 with a single exception and that was in 2006 not ‘07 and the beginning of ‘08 like he was propping his argument on.

Go back and look at that Mar 19th post Joe at his response, look at the spin and diversion from the topic at hand.

The guy is dishonest to the very core. If you don’t think he doesn’t need “picking on” well, your choice not mine.

I can live with myself and will never understand how Matt wakes up in his skin and doesn’t smack himself in the face for being the epitome of an asshat.

Don’t worry Joe, Matt is safe from anymore doses of reality, I’m done, he can spin, twist and lie his way thru not only his crapola spewed at at FT but anywhere else he may end up writing.

But you have fun over in that echo chamber of conspiracy theorists, driver hating, marquee hating, poo flinging nutjobs that make up about 80% of the commenters Matt, and apparently Tom Bowles is so proud of.

posted on May 15th, 2008 at 3:16 am

7 On May 15th, 2008, Joe said:#

Feisty today aren’t we? The thing is Matt has a gimmick. He doesn’t need to be honest. He has bounced from site to site but he always seems to land somewhere. Again, if you want an impartial stock car journalist, it probably begins and ends with Chris Economacki. Dude, this is entertainment. You take it so damn seriously. Lighten up. You know as well as I do there is a large contingent of NASCAR fans who absolutely hate that Toyota is in the sport, I’ve jabbed with Matt on that topic before and he believes what he believes. That’s his stupidity and he can try to swerve by rehashing Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, or Bruce Springsteen lyrics all he wants even when I say the Toyota Tundra is more American than the Ford F150 or Chevy truck (Sliverado, right?) He railed about factory workers losing jobs and I retorted with well, if they got educated instead of complacent in their place in the assembly line they may still have jobs and he had nothing. It is what it is and I’m rambling a bit.

Oh the minnow pond thing. I think he read the Daytona book by Ed Hinton a little too loosely and mixed up the Tiny Lund story with the Darlington minnow pond story. Minnow pond is factual last I checked. Hinton is another guy with an agenda who is only credible (barely) in my opinion because of who he has written for in the past.

So you proved Matt wrong on a few things he said, big deal? What did you get out of it aside from being called a know it all, a thread hijacker, smart ass, pain in the ass, satisfaction that you know more than an internet hack, etc.? You may be more knowledgeable than he is but the beauty of the thing is he can still post his bullflop much the same way you can post your stuff. It’s all relative. The question I have to ask is this:

Was it worth the wasted time and brain cells arguing back and forth?

posted on May 15th, 2008 at 11:34 am

8 On May 15th, 2008, Marc said:#

“Feisty today aren’t we? The thing is Matt has a gimmick. He doesn’t need to be honest.”

Horseshit. Everyone meeds to be honest in both what they post and in how they deal with people. Matt isn’t and has ever written for The Onion, in other words he has and isn’t writing a comedy, satire or parody column.

“Again, if you want an impartial stock car journalist, it probably begins and ends with Chris Economacki. Dude, this is entertainment.”

Another stinking pile of manure. Being impartial or not being impartial has nothing to do with honest reporting. Anyone and most people do have a bias of some kind but they also have and should have the ability to admit when they are factually incorrect and act on it accordingly.

“Lighten up. You know as well as I do there is a large contingent of NASCAR fans who absolutely hate that Toyota is in the sport, I’ve jabbed with Matt on that topic before and he believes what he believes.

No is isn’t large, it’s a lunatic fringe thankfully but unfortunately they have loud voices that are heard far more than deserved.

“Oh the minnow pond thing. I think he read the Daytona book by Ed Hinton a little too loosely and mixed up the Tiny Lund story with the Darlington minnow pond story. Minnow pond is factual last I checked.”

And that excuses what? Damn sure doesn’t excuse his failure to at least make an attempt to correct me after I suggested we both start a campaign to have the tracks website corrected. Nor does it excuse his inability to provide his “sources,” as Tom Bowles put it in his sorry sad-sack defense.

The reality is Matt either was confused as you suggest or he pulled the shit from where shit is normally expelled.

“Was it worth the wasted time and brain cells arguing back and forth?

My guess is, yes, it’s possible on a couple counts.

First Ren one of his bosses complimented me via a back channel on jacking Matt up which is far more than what his Tom Bowles did - and if you think Matt can spin and twist the truth you should see his sad excuse for defending Matt. And far more than Matts childishness is why I asked my link to be dumped from FS and why I have lost all respect for the site and Tom Bowles, and that doesn’t even cover the flat-out lie I caught Bowles passing off to me - And secondly as Bowles says and by what I’ve seen in couple threads of the last two days there will be a tighter leash put on the nutjobs, fruitcakes and flatout lying scumbags that reside in some of FT threads.

And that’s a good thing if it’s maintained over the long run ad will make the environment better for those that do what honest debate and a place to talk NASCAR without having strings of hare and invective tossed at them..

posted on May 15th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

9 On May 15th, 2008, Joe said:#

you know what? I can’t say I disagree with you. Takes a while to see where you’re coming from but, when I read it a second time, you’re 100% right. For one, when you e mailed me in re the drug testing issue, you had a fair amount of opinion and fact, but you stayed the course.

Your opinion may not always be the popular one, but you’re consistent and I can’t find fault in that.

I look forward to reading more on your website and if I have a question or comment, at least I know I won’t get inane drivel thrown back at me. Thank you and that is with all sincerity.

posted on May 15th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

10 On May 15th, 2008, Marc said:#

Thanks Joe, that means a lot, really.

I’ve never given one hoot what someone thought of my opinion, you either like it or don’t but, I’m always willing to debate them if… you do so from a position of offering something other than hotair, or “what gives you the right” crap.

And don’t think I’m above posting inane drivel, I do it all the time.

But I don’t wrap it up with a pretty bow that screams “THIS IS FACT.”

It’s presented in a way that makes it plain to even the most simple-minded it’s a wayout conspiracy theory or satirical.

posted on May 15th, 2008 at 4:52 pm

11 On May 15th, 2008, Joe said:#

BTW, Halsey, what years?

posted on May 15th, 2008 at 8:27 pm

12 On May 15th, 2008, peterg said:#

Sorry Marc but I can’t resist highlighting the funniest thing I have EVER read at FT.

“The thing is Matt has a gimmick. He doesn’t need to be honest” OR……with Matt on that topic before and he believes what he believes”

[peterg-dries-the-tears-from-his-eyes]

Seriously Marc, when somebody hits you with the “he believes what he believes” REGARDLESS OF REALITY! Just smile & nod your head in agreement.

posted on May 15th, 2008 at 10:54 pm

13 On May 16th, 2008, Marc said:#

Joe… USS Halsey - ‘84-88.

posted on May 16th, 2008 at 2:31 am

14 On May 16th, 2008, Joe said:#

My point was Peter, look at some of the talking heads out there regardless of what they cover. Rush Limbaugh, Don Imus, Jim Rome, Lex & Terry. Now combine those with all of the faceless internet hacks who cover NASCAR. These guys get one rumor correct and they have credibility. That is my point.

My point is Peter, “you can’t fix stupid” and as far as people believing what thye believe no matter how misguided; I think you need look no further than oh, hate groups.

Marc, I have a buddy who was on the Halsey around that timeframe. He was an MS, probably a 2nd class at the time but retired as a senior chief in 96.

posted on May 16th, 2008 at 6:37 am

15 On May 16th, 2008, Joe said:#

also Peter, I suppose you’ve been inundated with “Spygate”

Rumor and nothing more, but the damage was done, especially the day before the Super Bowl. Again, it’s not always about honesty with all scribes, many times it is either shock factor or scooping.

Just trying to clarify what you obviously did not get.

posted on May 16th, 2008 at 9:08 am

16 On May 16th, 2008, Marc said:#

rumor and nothing more Joe?

Come on they caught them with the goods, plus testimony from the two that were exchanging emails on the matter.

posted on May 16th, 2008 at 10:37 am

17 On May 16th, 2008, Joe said:#

I was referring to the Patriots/Rams Super Bowl walkthru portion of the Spygate saga. Shoulda clarified a little better. The newspaper reporter in Boston ran with it with sketchy sources but still got his story out the day before the Super Bowland made the rounds of the talk show circuit. Yes he made his retraction yesterday, but he made his money and if the Walsh guy would not have talked to the Commissioner, the reporter never would have retracted.

posted on May 16th, 2008 at 11:55 am

18 On May 16th, 2008, Marc said:#

I couldn’t tell ya Joe. I gave up watching or paying any attention to EVERY major sport in the US accept auto racing.

And Peter is from Australia, and like me if it’s sports other than auto racing it’s Aussie rules Footy or Rugby.

Rugby, a real mans sport that is as rough as the NFL and played with no pads.

NFL = pussys, overpaid rapists, gun toting, gang banging wife beaters.

Rugby players real men and tough as nails!

posted on May 16th, 2008 at 2:08 pm

19 On May 16th, 2008, Joe said:#

surprisingly, rugby is pretty big here in Jacksonville

posted on May 16th, 2008 at 3:18 pm

20 On May 17th, 2008, peterg said:#

Joe, before dropping out of this thread I repeat what I said earlier, if I guy can’t stand by the credibility of his words on a blog turn off the comments feature.Why? Because somebody like myself will ask that individual to support that argument with some facts.

I confess you have totally lost me on “These guys get one rumor correct and they have credibility”. Sorry buddy, credibility does not come from writing inaccurately & hoping that the laws of probability will bring you a scoop one day.

While I did not want to get off motorsport & into politics;if your theory were correct somebody like Ann Coulter or David Irving would have credibility for fabricating “facts” to support their opinion.

The pal you have gone to the defense of essentially writes fiction, sadly there are people who are happy to read it.But hey, like they say, whatever rocks your world.

Cheers Pete

posted on May 17th, 2008 at 1:44 am

Full Throttle