Sponsorship from Miccosukee Indian Gaming in all three of NASCAR’s national series – Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Trucks – could be terminated as a result of an early February vote by the Indian tribe. The tribe, which runs Miccosukee Resort and Gaming located in Miami and along the southeastern edge of the Florida Everglades, elected a new chairman, Colley Billie, on Jan. 5 who campaigned on promoting a new and “proactive” economic development platform. Several sources confirmed the tribe plans a Feb. 4 vote to decide whether it will continue its sponsorship in NASCAR, which includes Cup [#09-Almirola] and Nationwide teams [#1-James Buescher] to be fielded in 2010 by team owner James Finch and a Truck team [#18] owned and driven by Kyle Busch. The chances the NASCAR sponsorships will continue are considered slim, sources said. A spokesman for KBM said Monday the organization was aware of the Feb. 4 vote and would field the team regardless of whether the Miccosukee sponsorship continues.(Charlotte Observer)(1-26-2010)
UPDATE: James Finch learned late Thursday afternoon that Miccosukee Resort and Gaming will no longer sponsor his Phoenix Racing teams. Finch had a contract for the full Nationwide Series schedule and 18 Sprint Cup races but when the Chairman of the Miccosukee tribe Billy Cypress lost the last election, Phoenix Racing became sponsor-less for Daytona and beyond. [Sources confirmed that this decision also impacts sponsorship for the #18 Kyle Busch Motorsports truck team.](FoxNews.com)(2-5-2010)
