NASCAR: Target Reduces Sponsorship With Larson In 2017
When it comes to Kyle Larson in NASCAR, the Target logo is something that fans immediately associate with him. In 2017 Target will still be with Larson, they just won’t be with him as much.
On Tuesday it was announced that Target would be reducing their sponsorship of Kyle Larson during the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. Target has been the only sponsor that Larson has had since coming to NASCAR’s premier series. While Target has always been his sponsor, in the past they have allowed some of their brands (Axe and Energizer) to be on the car as well. In 2017 that will change and Larson will have the opportunity to have new primary sponsorship on his No. 42 machine.
According to a release from Sports Business Daily, the decision was a mutual one between Target and the No. 42 team.
The deal is part of a mutual agreement between CGR and Target. Sources said the move frees up about 5-10 primaries worth of inventory on the #42. Target’s deal expires on the NASCAR side after 2017, and the retailer ended a 27-year partnership on Ganassi’s IndyCar side after the ’16 season.
Freeing up some of the sponsorship will allow for the No. 42 team to make some new partnerships in 2017 and beyond.
Larson won for the first time in NASCAR’s premier series in 2016. The win was something that was a long time coming for the young driver who many thought would have a few wins under his belt by now. Larson’s win this past season coupled with his youth and strong finishes should make him attractive when it comes to finding sponsorship.
In 2017 Larson and his team will be looking to take the next step. For them the next step should start with winning again (and possibly more than once) and end with contending for a championship. Larson and the rest of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will hit the track for the start of the season at the Daytona 500 in eight weeks.
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