Full Throttle

Ask.com, a leading search engine today announced it has entered into partnerships with NASCAR, NASCAR.COM, and Hall of Fame Racing.

First thought: Well, by signing both as a sponsor of the HoF #96 and becoming the Official Search Engine of NASCAR HoF Racing and Ask.com avoids all the ugliness that arose in the AT&T/Sprint sponsorship spat, among others.

Has NASCAR seen the light and decided the “exclusivity” caveats in the sanctioning bodies contracts have hurt more than helped the sports race teams? (He says while under delusions of grandeur)

“I’m excited to be part of what Ask.com is bringing to our sport,” said Labonte. “In a time like this, it’s great to see a sponsor come in with technology and ideas that will help all of the competitors in NASCAR and enhance the experience for all of our fans, no matter which driver or team they cheer for.”

“With our new Yates partnership and having a true champion and class person in Bobby Labonte behind the wheel, we’re expecting great things on the race track,” said Hall of Fame team owner Tom Garfinkel.

Yates Racing have yet to reveal which cars the team’s other drivers will race this season, though an official announcement is expected soon.

An addendum to the above thought process: Beside the parties involved who the hell saw this one coming?

At a time when rumors swirl faster than a free range cow in a tornado this sponsorship news never made it to the “starting,” grid, much less to a starting flag. Someone or some number of people associated with it have some very zipped lips.

Maybe they should apply for a position at the CIA. With all the leaks that have come out of the spy agency the last few years they could use more people that know how to keep their mouths shut.