[SStockDart]

Not surprising at all. Any sponsor is expecting to get some sort of "return" for an investment. The "return" in the case for Mello Yello has completely changed since their negotiations started. First, their are not the thousands of fans at the races to enjoy a cold Mello Yello, enjoy the mock up race car and test your starting line reflexes, be surrounded by Mello Yello advertising, and see their favorite driver drink a Mello Yello.

Remember, Mello Yello has been title sponsor for "Pro" cars and not us sportsman racers. Like him or not, John Force chose not to race this season. He is THE draw to get fans, period. I believe he is probably not getting his sponsor's support for the same reason as NHRA.

It will be impossible to get another similar title sponsor. NHRA has nothing to offer a consumer goods company....no fans, no John Force, and huge financial payouts.

Their best opportunity for sponsorship of Pro racing is something like a .com company that advertises simply for awareness.

I believe that the best opportunity for successful survival of NHRA is a sort of hybrid race. Other than US Nationals and Winternationals, which could have a full field of fuel cars, all other National events would be a "match" race type of deal. "John Force vs Schumacher" in best 2 out of 3.....Same deal with Top Fuel.

The fans would still get their "taste" for fuel cars, while payoffs and insurance costs should be greatly reduced.

Then, continue to develop the factory cars, move existing older stockers and superstockers into "Nostalgia" with ALL of the same existing rules. Cars 2008 and newer would run existing Stock and Superstock classes. Oh, and bring back Modified Production with restrictions.

Swing away folks. If you wonder how I know about advertising/sponsorship value......I retired from Coca-Cola after nearly 40 years in Management and Marketing.