There’s been NASCAR garage buzz recently that Mars Inc. Mars Snack Food U.S., the company that produces M& Ms in Hackettstown, is considering leaving Robert Yates Racing. Yates, which fields the Ford that will be driven by David Gilliland on Sunday, has carried the M& Ms brand on the #38 since 2002 [actually started in 2003 with the #38], when Elliott Sadler came on board [in 2003 not 2002]. Sadler left the team after the 22nd race last year. Yates replaced him in the M& Ms car with Gilliland Mars is reportedly still unhappy with the abrupt departure by the popular Sadler. Reports have leaked out that the program is under sponsor review. A recent item on speedtv.com bluntly states that M& Ms will withdraw as a sponsor of the #38 at the end of the year and sister confection Snickers [sponsor of Yates #88 with Rudd] will be moved to another team. Mars media and public relations spokesperson Ryan Bowling addressed the candy question. “Everything you’re asking is still pure speculative. If we do decide to go a different route for ’08, we’ll make that announcement,” Bowling said. “Right today nothing’s been set in stone.” Bowling did not say whether M& Ms would be on the #38 Ford next year. When pressed he admitted that despite the M& M-Yates contract that runs though 2008, there is wiggle room. “You have as a sponsor that you can always evaluate where things are, which is normal for any sponsor, how things are,” Bowling said. “M& Ms is still committed to Robert Yates. That’s the plan.” He added, “I can’t give you details on the contract. We’re exploring options.” Several sources say the M& Ms brand that has been on a NASCAR car since it replaced Mars’ Skittles candy on the #36 MB2 Pontiac in the late 1990s will not be on any car next year. “The only thing that’s truth at this point is that Snickers expires at the end of this year,” Bowling said. The sense in the garage area is the Snickers’ sponsorship will move to Ray Evernham’s #9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne in 2008 [along with another 6 or so rumored sponsors such as Bud, Allstate, Citi Finanacial] An item in Sadler’s contract with Yates, however, does not allow him to drive a car sponsored by any of the Mars products before 2008. Bowling insists his company remains behind Yates. “Nothing has been changed. We’re still supporting Robert Yates,” Bowling said. “Right now our focus is on getting through ’07 and not making any announcements if things were to change.”(Express Times)(8-2-2007)
