The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is going to have a new name in the very near future as the camping gear company announced it is ending its longtime sponsorship agreement with NASCAR.
Marcus Lemonis, chairman and CEO of Camping World, made the announcement on social media, saying that the company wants to take that money and re-invest it in its workers.
What a ride it’s been! Thank you @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/yLZjJN6OXr
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) July 27, 2022
Lemonis appeared on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio soon after to discuss the decision as well.
“It’s a tough call to make,” Lemonis said. “What really drove it for me was – it’s gonna sound odd to people – but I was watching the marketplace change and I was watching inflation take off and I was watching the cost of housing and car payments and everything for our 14,000 people just get more expensive every day.
“You got to make tough calls, and we’re in an environment and economy that I think is going to be perfectly fine because we’re resilient people. My people matter to me more than a sticker on a car or a name on television. It’s just at the end of the day, I’m watching people struggle.”
💭 “I needed to put more in the paychecks of our people and you’ve got to make some tough calls…” #NASCAR
🗣 @CampingWorld CEO @MarcusLemonis explains his decision to end his 14 year sponsorship of the @NASCAR_Trucks Series. pic.twitter.com/51e4RH1M30
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) July 28, 2022
Camping World has been. the Truck Series sponsor since 2009. Before that, Craftsman was the original sponsor. Ironically, it’s been reported that they could return to being the name sponsor now.
.@NASCAR has known for some time that @CampingWorld was not renewing, and it's well down the line with a potential replacement, per sources.
🔲 The leading candidate is believed to be @Craftsman. pic.twitter.com/HwxonLsexg
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) July 28, 2022
In the meantime, the news that Camping World would no longer sponsor the Truck Series garnered some reactions from the NASCAR world.
Marcus Lemonis says they won’t sponsor the truck series next year … https://t.co/Yx96RKuJkE
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 27, 2022
It’s been a ride for sure. Thanks Marcus, appreciate the sponsorships to our team and the support of the sport as whole, with cool programs like the Trip.
All the best to everyone @CampingWorld https://t.co/ptHMwLN0GY
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) July 28, 2022
Thank you Marcus!!! @CampingWorld @NASCAR_Trucks 👏👏👏👏🏁 https://t.co/U4CtzMY6NQ
— brent dewar (@brentdewar) July 28, 2022
— Adam Fenwick (@Adam_Fenwick) July 27, 2022
Camping World/Marcus Lemonis pulling out of Trucks https://t.co/dmLc5rkM3g
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) July 27, 2022
[Marcus Lemonis, Front Stretch]
