GoDaddy pulling out of NASCAR sponsorship, hopes to keep Danica Patrick

GoDaddy is getting out of the NASCAR sponsorship business at the end of the season, but hopes to keep driver Danica Patrick under a personal-services contract.

GoDaddy, a technology provider focused on small businesses, won’t renew its primary sponsorship with Stewart-Haas Racing, for whom Patrick drives. But GoDaddy chief marketing officer Phil Bienert hopes to continue the company’s relationship with SHR driver Patrick, who signed with GoDaddy when she was an IndyCar driver in 2007.

“We love Danica and all she does to empower and inspire people, especially women, which is why we are working to keep her in the GoDaddy family,” said Bienert in a statement. “We have the utmost respect for Stewart-Haas Racing, and they've been phenomenal partners. In fact, NASCAR has been a tremendous domestic platform to help us achieve an 81 percent aided brand awareness domestically, but at this stage, we need a range of marketing assets that reach a more globally-diverse set of customers. The fact Danica is having a record-setting season makes it tough to leave this motorsports sponsorship, without a doubt.”

Patrick has two top-10 finishes this season. Her six career top 10s is a record for a woman driver in NASCAR.

“Danica is a superstar,” said GoDaddy CEO Blake Irving. “She's making history in a male-dominated sport and that takes massive commitment, tenacity and passion. She’s also helped inspire women around the world to dream big and keep working to make their dreams real. I would be thrilled if Danica stayed on as GoDaddy's spokeswoman and I want to personally thank Stewart-Haas Racing and NASCAR for their help in building the GoDaddy brand domestically.”

GoDaddy is the latest sponsor to walk away from NASCAR. Sprint, which has sponsored the sport’s top series, is leaving after the 2016 season. Nationwide Insurance was replaced this season by Xfinity as the title sponsor of NASCAR’s lower level series. The Home Depot is no longer sponsoring Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 20 car driven by Matt Kenseth.

“GoDaddy has been a great partner for us and for the sport overall,” said SHR co-owner Tony Stewart. “There's a lot of season left on the calendar and it would be great to go out with a win … that would really put the exclamation point on what has been a hugely successful relationship.”

This story was originally published April 29, 2015 at 10:56 AM with the headline "GoDaddy pulling out of NASCAR sponsorship, hopes to keep Danica Patrick."