Kahne remains optimistic A-B deal will continue

CONCORD, N.C. -- Kasey Kahne expects to continue his partnership with Anheuser-Busch even though the beer distributor is ending its sponsorship with the NHRA.

Kahne

The St. Louis-based division of Anheuser-Busch InBev said this week it is ending its 30-year relationship with Kenny Bernstein Racing's NHRA team, and Budweiser will no longer be the official beer of that series. The brewery claims its relationship with Bernstein is the longest in motorsports history, eclipsing STP's 28-year sponsorship of NASCAR's Richard Petty.

A recognizable sponsor for many years in NASCAR, Budweiser was the primary logo associated with Dale Earnhardt Jr. The brewery was his sponsor from the time he debuted in the Cup Series on May 30, 1999, until his departure from Dale Earnhardt Inc. for Hendrick Motorsports two years ago.

With Earnhardt's move, Budweiser put its support (and dollars) behind Kasey Kahne in 2008. It ended up with $11.75 million in exposure value, less than half of what it received with Earnhardt in 2007.