UPDATE: A representative from Joe Gibbs Racing tells TobyChristie.com’s Joseph Srigley that Mars Inc. will continue with their 30+ race agreement in 2022, before leaving ahead of 2023. According to the team representative, Joe Gibbs Racing has already begun selling the open sponsorship inventory for 2023, and beyond.
A @JoeGibbsRacing representative tells me that @MarsGlobal will continue with their usual 30+ race agreement in 2022, before their departure ahead of 2023.
The team has already begun the process of selling the open sponsorship inventory for 2023, and beyond.#NASCAR
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) December 20, 2021
Mars Incorporated – the parent company of M&M’s, Skittles, Snickers, Pedigree, etc. — will leave NASCAR following the 2022 season, announcing the conclusion of a 14-year partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing and Kyle Busch on Monday Afternoon.
As part of the announcement, the company has determined they will be leaving NASCAR altogether, and will not sponsor an organization at any level in 2023.
“One of the great things I love about NASCAR is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships,” said Joe Gibbs, team owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “Mars has been a tremendous example of that. We have experienced so much together over the past 15 years, including two Cup Series championships, while developing friendships that will extend well beyond next year. I know everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing feels that way and I’m glad we have the 2022 season to celebrate Mars and the contributions they have made to our sport over the past three decades.”
The brand has been a staple of the NASCAR Cup Series sponsorship climate for the last 25 years, with Skittles making their first appearance onboard Derrike Cope’s No. 36 in the 1997 Daytona 500.
Since then, primarily through the use of sub-brand M&M’s, Mars Incorporated retained their position as a major partner at NASCAR’s top-level, moving to Robert Yates Racing in 2003, and eventually, Joe Gibbs Racing and Kyle Busch in 2008.
In the company’s long-running tenure with Kyle Busch, Mars Inc. was brought to victory lane in 46 points-paying NASCAR Cup Series events, most recently at Pocono Raceway in June.
“I have been incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Mars for nearly 15 years now,” said two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch. “During this time, Mars Associates have been like family to myself, Samantha, and Brexton. In particular, my friendship with the Mars Family will be something that will last a lifetime. We have a relationship so much deeper than just having the honor of driving their colorful cars. I’m also proud that we’ve been able to bring them to victory lane 55 times in the Cup Series, including two Cup Series championships. I know our 18 team will work as hard as ever to bring them to victory lane as many times as we can in 2022 and hopefully even another championship we can celebrate together.”
While the company’s partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing will continue through the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, their departure leaves a significant hole in the sponsorship for two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch in 2023 and beyond.
One Response
Wow….could be bad news for Kyle….and J Gibbs. Big sponsors like this are very hard to replace…….hate the thought of no more M&M’s car on the track.