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NASCAR Hall of Fame sponsorships fall: A review of the NASCAR Hall of Fame's commitments for sponsorships shows that projected revenue is declining significantly, dropping from $1.5 million in 2012 to $110,000 for the fiscal year starting in July. The loss of sponsorship revenue could further explain why Bank of America and Wells Fargo recently agreed to a deal in which they would forgive $17.6 million in interest and principal from a hall-related loan in exchange for a $5 million payment. The reason: The bank's chances of getting their money back were more grim than the city outlined to City Council. Tom Murray, chief executive of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, said the hall is now focused on selling new sponsorships to help its bottom line. Under the deal reached with the banks, all sponsorship money in the future can go to pay the hall's bills. But he said it will be a challenge. "We don't think we will be selling sponsorships at the $1 million range," CRVA chief executive Tom Murray said in an interview. "The sponsorship world in general is challenging today. (Businesses) are looking for more of a return on their investment." Some of the hall's initial sponsors, such as Belk, Sunoco and M&M, have let sponsorships expire. For the sport overall, Sprint announced last year that it would end its sponsorship of NASCAR's highest racing level in 2016. Two of the biggest hall of fame sponsors were Bank of America and Wells Fargo, who each paid $150,000 last year. Under the deal reached with the city, the two banks will continue to sponsor the hall but won't have to pay.(Charlotte Observer)(1-29-2015)

RCR Names Ahnna Parkhurst to Driver Development Program: Richard Childress Racing and Team Dillon Racing have named Ahnna Parkhurst as one of two female drivers in their development program for the 2015 season. The other driver joining the program is 17-year-old Kate Dallenbach. Parkhurst, 14, is an Augusta, Ga. native and is entering her second season of competitive racing. The student at Riverside Middle School will compete in dirt Crate Late Models under the RCR banner driving cars built and maintained by Team Dillon Racing this year. "Ahnna has an incredible natural talent and absorbs everything she can to become a better driver every time she races," said Richard Childress, CEO and Chairman of RCR. "Everything I have seen and heard about her racing has been positive. She is going to learn and improve even more this year on the dirt tracks and I look forward to watching that progress." Parkhurst competed in 42 Mini Outlaws race last season, winning 13 and finishing second in 12 of them at Millbridge (N.C.) Speedway. This year, her schedule calls for 40 races in RCR/TDR Crate Dirt Late Models at Boyd (Ga.) Speedway, Swainsboro (Ga.) Speedway and Modoc (S.C.) Speedway. "I raced just about every other Wednesday night from March until November of last year," Parkhurst said. "RCR and TDR said they are going to give me their best effort to be competitive and try and win races. It's up to me to give them my best efforts in return. "This is a great opportunity and I can't thank Richard, TDR and my sponsors enough for making me part of the team. Austin and Ty Dillon have already been very supportive and I have learned a lot from them this past year." Parkhurst will have sponsorship from LauriesFund.org, Tgen, Hunt Brothers Pizza and Bad Boy Buggies.(RCR)(1-29-2015
RCR Names Kate Dallenbach to Driver Development Program: Richard Childress Racing and Team Dillon Racing have named Kate Dallenbach as one of two female drivers in their development program for the 2015 season. The other driver joining the program is 14 year-old Ahnna Parkhurst. Dallenbach, 17, is the daughter of Wally, Jr., NASCAR driver-turned-broadcaster, and Robin Dallenbach, a former driver herself with two starts in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Her grandfather, Wally Dallenbach, Sr., was a successful Indy car driver and Chief Steward. The student of Davidson Day High School will compete in dirt and asphalt races under the RCR banner driving cars built and maintained by Team Dillon Racing.
"Some RCR and TDR members and I have been watching Kate for several years and have been impressed with her driving ability," said Richard Childress, CEO and Chairman of RCR. "She is a quality driver in races and the results from her testing dirt Late Models have been very positive. I look forward to what the future holds for Kate and we will do all we can to help her succeed." Dallenbach started racing Quarter Midgets at age eight and was the 2007 Texas Regional Champion in two different divisions. Dallenbach also competed in Bandoleros at Texas Motor Speedway in 2008 and was part of the Lyn St. James Driver Academy in 2010.
In 2011, she earned championship and rookie of the year honors in the Allison Legacy Series at Thunderhill (Tex.) Raceway. Dallenbach tested dirt Late Models for RCR/TDR in 2013 and drove Whelen Late Models at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway capturing Rookie of the Year honors and finishing second in points. Last year, she raced 10 events for RCR/TDR at Boyd (Ga.) Speedway and ran 15 asphalt Late Model races for Lee Faulk Racing at various tracks in the Southeast. For the 2015 season, Dallenbach will increase her schedule to more than 20 events with Faulk and 10 races on dirt for RCR/TDR at Boyd Speedway. "I am honored and looking forward to being a larger part of RCR's Driver Development Program this year," Dallenbach said. "As a driver, I'm looking forward to improving my racing skills and winning some dirt and asphalt races. I hope to start testing Trucks in the future, as well. I can't thank Richard (Childress), Mike (Dillon) and Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops enough for this opportunity." Dallenbach currently has sponsorship from SHE Outdoor Ladies Hunting Clothing from Bass Pro Shops.(RCR)(1-29-2015)