many readers emailed me a Lowes in-house memo saying that Lowes was leaving the #31 Richard Childress Team and driver Mike Skinner after the 2000 season, ESPN2’s RPM 2Night also reported the memo. I was told as was RPM 2Night, that owner Richard Childress says he spoke with Lowes on Wednesday and was assured that Lowes would honor the remaining two years of their contract with the team. The memo goes on to say that Lowes would not leave the sport but move to another team. There is nothing on the Lowes site concerning this UPDATE: Richard Childress admits he has learned sponsor Lowe’s will leave his #31 Chevy after this season, but he insists he still has a two-year contract with the company and intends that it be honored by both sides(SpeedVision) AND from NOL: One way to put rumors to rest in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series is to simply hold a press conference and set the record straight. Richard Childress did just that Friday regarding Lowe’s sponsorship of Mike Skinner’s #31 Chevy. According to Childress, he met with Lowe’s Wednesday, and was told they would honor the remainder of their deal with Richard Childress Racing. Thursday, however, Lowe’s sent a company-wide memo to its employees stating they would no longer sponsor the car(NOL). Note: Still leaves some questions, in-house hoax at Lowes?? Lowes response?? UPDATE 2: Reached Friday by telephone, Lowe’s spokesperson Chris Ahearn said the company would honor its financial commitment to the team for the next two years, but “the Lowe’s name will be off the car at the end of the season.” Ahearn said the team had not performed up to expectations, though she said that was not the only reason the company was leaving. She said Lowe’s remains committed to NASCAR and will likely sponsor another team next season. Ahearn also said Lowe’s decision to leave Richard Childress Racing would not affect the company’s 10-year naming rights deal with Lowe’s Motor Speedway(more at That’s Racin’)(9-21-2000) UPDATE 3: One possibility making the rounds at Dover was that Jack Roush either has or is on the verge of making off with the Lowes account. Roush has at least two teams open(#’s 16, 97) and earlier nabbed Pfizer/Viagra away from Eel River Racing(#27) for Mark Martins #6 Ford(Gaston Gazette) AND Lowe’s will be backing another team next year, apparently moving to the Rick Hendrick camp to sponsor Jerry Nadeau(#25 Chevy)(PitNow)(9-23-2000) UPDATE: Jack Roush and Geoff Smith, the manager of Roush Racing, say they haven’t talked with Lowe’s executives about acquiring that company’s NASCAR sponsorship. However, Roush said, since Richard Childress’ announcement Friday that Lowe’s plans to leave the Mike Skinner team, Smith has begun pursing Lowe’s. However, Lowe’s has already agreed to a deal with car owner Rick Hendrick for next season, with Jerry Nadeau(#25 Chevy), according to sources(PitNow)(9-25-2000)
