Those who kept an eye on the NASCAR Sprint Cup this season were watching history in the making. Jimmie Johnson, the man who had already broke a record in 2009 by winning the fourth consecutive Sprint, managed to write the history book in 2010, by winning the fifth championship.
Of course, it wasn't an easy route for Johnson, this season being one of NASCAR's most entertaining. After all, this year's Chase was the closest ever in the seven years history of this format.
Even so, it was Johnson who sold, and sold very well. NASCAR's marketing machine kicked into high gear way before the Chase was over and prepared three different product lines: one in honor of Johnson's fifth title, comprising 70 products, and two other line for his chasers, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick, with 50 products each. We all know which product line they sold in the end.
"There's something about five that's pretty intriguing, and licensees are excited about that," Blake Davidson, NASCAR's managing director of licensed products said about the record championship win. "People recognize now that you're watching this guy make history."
This year, NASCAR will try a different approach, by attempting to bring on the oval tracks the big names of other sports. With one confirmation from X Games champion Travis Pastrana and some good signals from motocross riders Brian Deegan and Ricky Carmichael, the series is getting ready for perhaps the most diverse season it had to date.
"We'll help them build a new fan base and hope they bring a new fan base to us," NASCAR marketing head Steve Phelps said about what the three will mean for the series.
Of course, it wasn't an easy route for Johnson, this season being one of NASCAR's most entertaining. After all, this year's Chase was the closest ever in the seven years history of this format.
Even so, it was Johnson who sold, and sold very well. NASCAR's marketing machine kicked into high gear way before the Chase was over and prepared three different product lines: one in honor of Johnson's fifth title, comprising 70 products, and two other line for his chasers, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick, with 50 products each. We all know which product line they sold in the end.
"There's something about five that's pretty intriguing, and licensees are excited about that," Blake Davidson, NASCAR's managing director of licensed products said about the record championship win. "People recognize now that you're watching this guy make history."
This year, NASCAR will try a different approach, by attempting to bring on the oval tracks the big names of other sports. With one confirmation from X Games champion Travis Pastrana and some good signals from motocross riders Brian Deegan and Ricky Carmichael, the series is getting ready for perhaps the most diverse season it had to date.
"We'll help them build a new fan base and hope they bring a new fan base to us," NASCAR marketing head Steve Phelps said about what the three will mean for the series.