Budweiser Park?

[brewcrew82]

I think this would be a fun idea but judging by the article the folks at Anheuser-Busch aren't agreeing to it.

Anyway, here is the article (for novelty value):

Miller Park to become Budweiser Park?
I knew that headline would get everyone's attention. It's a publicity stunt by the Miller Brewing Co. And, in my opinion, a pretty good one.

Here's the story: On Friday morning, Miller sent out a news release challenging Budweiser to a NASCAR bet. As part of the bet, Miller is putting its naming rights to Miller Park on the line.

The challenge would pit the #2 Miller Lite car against the #8 Budweiser car, with the season-long NASCAR points leader winning the bet.

According to the challenge, if the Miller Lite car finishes ahead of the Budweiser car, Busch Stadium (home of the St. Louis Cardinals) will be renamed Miller Lite stadium for a to-be-determined 2008 series in St. Louis between the Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers.

If the Budweiser car finishes the NASCAR season ahead of the Miller Lite car, Miller Park will be renamed Budweiser Park for a 2008 series in Milwaukee.

Miller company officials said Miller ceo Tom Long sent a letter to August Busch IV, president and ceo of Anheuser-Busch on Friday.

A spokesman for the Brewers told me Friday morning that the team has no problem with the stunt. In fact, Brewers GM Doug Melvin has taped a message for the folks at Budweiser.

Meanwhile, the folks at Bud don't seem very amused. In a statement attributed to Dale Earnhardt Jr., who drives the Budweiser car, the racer said: "Racing is my job, not a bet. My only priority is to build on last season's success and win the NEXTEL Cup."

We'll take that as a no. Peter Marino, a Miller spokesman, said he was disappointed Bud didn't take the bait. "This is all in the spirit of fun," Marino said.

SOURCE (http://www.jsonline.com/blog/index.aspx?id=92&month=02&year=2007&entry=31668)

[brewcrew82]

According to the Miller Lite racing page that Bud have until Feb 18th to accept the challenge.

[Williamsburg2599]

I doubt St. Louis would want their stadium which has been called Busch Stadium for years (or atleast, their stadiums have been called Busch for years) to be changed. But hey, it get me interested in NASCAR.

[Elvis]

Klassic! :laugh

I think it's a great idea! It's only for 3 days anyway. Too bad Dale Jr. doesn't have the hops, to accept the challenge. :p

[brewcrew82]

As Elvis said, the change would only be for one series vs the other team.

I'd probably follow the NASCAR standings for a season if the bet was to go ahead. I don't think I would watch any of the races but I would certainly follow the fortunes of the respective cars.

[CPatt44]

It would be a great advertising campaign for both the MLB and NASCAR season. Allegiences would be formed and broken. Great marketing ploy by Miller:clapping

[rickieweeks0023]

one bad thing about this is that dale jr will easily win..

[Cubsfan97]

Not necessarily, Wallace drives number 2, dont he? I think Wallace could challenge Dale Jr. If anything, he'd have an incentive to race better than Jr. Anyhow, I would love for this to be accepted. Hopefully it will, I would pay even more attention to NASCAR and finally have a driver to root for. I liked Gordon until he botched the 7th Inning Stretch and since I have just been sitting back watching, not rooting for anyone.

[baldbeuti]

FYI - Kurt Busch drives the number 2 Miller Light Car

[CPatt44]

Let's get back to baseball here guys. Bud will never get those rights. Miller has a firm grasp in the Milwaukee market and considering the brewery is less than two miles from the park, they shouldn't lose it.