Petty Looking for sponsor combo’s for the #44: Petty Enterprises is looking to have co-sponsors [such as the #12 in the BGN does] for the #44 Dodge that Christian Fittipaldi will pilot next season. Because Fittipaldi will make his stock-car debut by racing in Cup, BGN and ARCA next season, the Pettys are open to allowing various companies to sponsor the car based on series, or markets, to meet the estimated $10 million-$15 million they need for the program. “There are sponsors out there who have $2 million or $3 million to spend on a program and just can’t afford to do anymore,” CEO Kyle Petty said. “This is a way to open doors for those companies to come into the sport.” The search has Bill Scott, head of Petty Marketing, working overtime in finding ways to sell the team to potential investors. At issue is finding new and inventive ways to give the sponsor the most for its money. The Pettys are at an advantage — they’re a household name in racing and can offer a lot to sponsors. “We have a brand name that we’ve built over 50 years in motorsports,” Petty said. Companies who sign on with the family are often rewarded with employee rides at the Richard Petty Driving Experience, and they host weekend sponsor conferences in which their investors get together to brainstorm how they can work together to better benefit themselves.(CBS Sportsline/AP)(10-30-2002)
