Michael Waltrip hopes to be cookin' in 2007. Credit: Autostock

Burger King, Domino's to sponsor MWR in '07

Food companies to split time on No. 00 Toyota next season

BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced Sunday it has formed a unique partnership with two marquee brands -- Domino's Pizza (DPZ) and Burger King Corporation (BKC) to be co-primary sponsors of its second 2007 Nextel Cup Series team.

Toyota has held the headlines since it announced a move to the Cup Series in January. Credit: CIA Stock Photo

TOYOTA TO CUP NASCAR and Toyota announced in January the manufacturer's plans to compete in the Nextel Cup and Busch series in 2007, running the Camry model.  •   Complete story, click here REACTIONS Toyota's decision to go Nextel Cup racing will fire up the competitive juices of teams representing the series' longstanding three makes.   •   Complete story, click here LOOKING UP AT TOP 35 Toyota's biggest problem is actually a Web page on NASCAR.COM, writes Ryan Smithson. It's called the 2006 Nextel Cup owner standings.  •   Complete story, click here READY FOR INSPECTION The 2007 Toyota Camry that will be used in 20 of the 36 Nextel Cup Series races next season will be submitted to NASCAR on Monday morning, Lee White, TRD (Toyota Racing Development) USA's senior vice president and general manager, said Saturday.  •   Complete story, click here

"When we first approached Burger King and Domino's Pizza, we knew we were thinking outside of the box and didn't know if two food brands would be willing to work together to sponsor the same team," said Michael Waltrip. "We took the risk and are very excited to have two of the world's most recognized brands sponsoring the No. 00 Nextel Cup team."

"It's not unusual for two or more sponsors to split a sponsorship season," said Ty Norris, General Manager for Michael Waltrip Racing. "However, this is the first time that two companies within the same industry agreed to be sponsors of the same car during the same season. This is another example of the unprecedented approach Michael Waltrip Racing is taking to becoming a multi-car Nextel Cup team organization."

Domino's will kick off the season at the Daytona 500 and continue as the primary sponsor through the May race in Darlington, S.C. A Domino's paint scheme will also adorn the No. 00 Toyota Camry at the August Nextel Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway. Domino's will deliver its final five races during the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

"We've taken a strategic approach to our involvement with NASCAR and have been rewarded by the fans as we moved from the number three pizza choice to number one in a few short years," said Ken Calwell, Domino's Chief Marketing Officer. "By splitting the 2007 season with Burger King, we are able to implement our marketing and promotional efforts at different points throughout the season that make sense for our brand and build more meaningful connections with fans and customers."

The No. 00 Burger King Toyota Camry will hit the track Memorial Day weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., and cap off the regular season under the lights at Richmond International Raceway. Five Chase for the Nextel Cup races, including the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, will feature the Burger King paint scheme.

"We're excited about the opportunity to extend our 2006 primary sponsorship commitment with Michael Waltrip Racing for another year," said Russ Klein, Chief Marketing Officer, BKC. "Our Have it Your Way philosophy is about giving our customers experiences they want. We're looking to deliver a winning season in 2007."

The split-season sponsorship allows Domino's and Burger King to continue their respective relationships with Michael Waltrip Racing, while positioning both companies at the forefront of the changing motorsports industry.

The team along with input from both sponsors is in negotiations to secure a driver and will make a separate announcement once a driver has been determined.

"I hope we find a driver who likes to eat," said Waltrip. "I've had an opportunity to work with both Domino's Pizza and Burger King in the past and believe we're delivering a race team the fans will love."

Domino's, the Official Pizza of NASCAR, partnered with MWR three times in 2005 as the primary sponsor on Waltrip's No. 99 NASCAR Busch Series car and will be the primary sponsor of Waltrip's No. 55 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series car at the Michigan International Speedway race in August. Burger King recently announced plans to join MWR for a partial season in 2006, sponsoring the No. 00 Nextel Cup car for five races beginning in July at Chicagoland Speedway.