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closeHarvick's helmet fuels backlash
JIM UTTER
jutter@charlotteobserver.com
Friday, Feb. 23, 2007
It appears there was something that failed NASCAR's post-race inspection after Sunday's Daytona 500 -- the uniform and helmet worn by race winner Kevin Harvick.
Responding to complaints from Sunoco, the official fuel supplier of NASCAR, the sanctioning body has been in discussions with Harvick's Richard Childress Racing team the past several days to address Sunoco's concerns over the branding of Shell-Pennzoil's sponsorship on Harvick's uniform and helmet.
In response to those complaints, Harvick can no longer wear the driver's helmet used in Sunday's race -- which featured a prominent Shell logo -- and his uniform had to be redone to include less prominent Shell logos, multiple sources confirmed.
Before Sunday's Daytona 500, sources confirmed Harvick was asked by NASCAR if he would wear a jacket over his uniform during Daytona 500 introductions, which he agreed to do.
During Speedweeks, officials with Sunoco logged several complaints with NASCAR regarding the Shell logos on Harvick's helmet and uniform. They peaked when Harvick's victories in Saturday's Busch race and Sunday's Daytona 500 produced several newspaper headlines utilizing the Shell name and many photographs of the Shell logos.
Sunoco signed a 10-year deal in 2003 to become the official fuel supplier for all three of NASCAR's national series -- Nextel Cup, Busch and Trucks.
As part of the deal, no new fuel suppliers are allowed to sponsor NASCAR teams, NASCAR officials said. Shell-Pennzoil was allowed to join RCR and Harvick's No. 29 Chevrolet this season because the sponsorship was of its automotive lubricants.
Sunoco's complaints are based on the extent Shell-Pennzoil's branding is seen as promoting its gas product over its automobile lubricants.
"In exchange for providing a quality product for all three series, Sunoco was granted exclusivity in the fuel category at the track," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said.
"We're always trying to work with our sponsors and teams to navigate through any challenges, especially the automotive lubricant category which is closely aligned with fuel."
A message seeking comment from Sunoco's media contact, Jerry Davis, remained unreturned late Wednesday.
Until a new helmet can be designed, Harvick is expected to wear the helmet he uses in Busch Series races, sponsored by another company. Harvick's new uniform should be ready for this weekend's race at California, sources said.