Aflac is close to announcing a 2008 NASCAR limited sponsorship deal with Roush Fenway Racing. Aflac will sponsor a #99 Ford driven by Carl Edwards. An Aflac executive would not confirm the deal with Edwards on Tuesday, but the company did not deny it either when asked about Edwards. “We are still working through the details,” said Al Johnson, a second vice president responsible for sponsorships. “We like Carl and what he has done this year — and what we expect him to do next year. We’re very excited.” The final terms of the deal could be announced in the next two weeks. The deal with Edwards is expected to be for eight races and could possibly include an associate sponsorship that would put the Aflac duck logo somewhere on the car for the entire season, said a source familiar with the deal. Edwards’ primary sponsor is Office Depot. The eight races that Aflac will be the primary sponsor with the corporate logo on the hood have not been determined. Terms of the deal are not available. It is believed Aflac spent between $2 million and $3 million for the 2007 deal. Aflac broke into NASCAR racing this summer with an eight-race deal with Roush Fenway. That deal included four Nextel Cup races in California, New Hampshire, Chicago and Kansas City and four Busch Series races. #16-Greg Biffle drove the Aflac car on the Nextel Cup circuit, winning the race in Kansas City. Roush Fenway drivers Edwards, Matt Kenseth and Jamie McMurray split the Busch races. Biffle, Edwards’ Roush Fenway teammate, will be sponsored by 3M next year. In July, Aflac announced a deal with NASCAR to serve as the sport’s exclusive supplemental insurance sponsor and provider through the 2010 season. It is not known what Aflac paid for that designation.(Ledger-Enquirer)(10-24-2007) UPDATE: Aflac Incorporated and Office Depot announced a new business relationship within the sport of NASCAR that will help both companies reach new customers, engage the loyal NASCAR fan base and leverage opportunities to grow their businesses. Building on its successful entry into NASCAR in 2007, Aflac will serve as the primary sponsor of Carl Edwards and the #99 Ford Fusion for eight races. In addition, Aflac will be onboard the Office Depot #99 Ford Fusion as an associate sponsor for all other races during the 2008 Sprint Cup season. At the core of the affiliation are Edwards and the #99 Ford Fusion from Roush Fenway Racing. Aflac will be Edwards’ primary sponsor for the following 2008 Sprint Cup Series races: Atlanta [March]. Texas [April], Phoenix [April], Pocono [June]. Daytona [July], Indy [July], California [Aug] and Charlotte [Oct]. More information can be found at www.aflacracing.com.(Roush Racing PR)(11-2-2007)
