Jack Daniels officials announced today it will end it's primary sponsorship of the #07 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team and driver Casey Mears at the end of the 2009 racing season. The decision comes after a recent change in the parent company, Brown-Forman, spending priorities was made.

"Jack Daniel's has enjoyed a good five-year run with Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR, and we are pleased with the overall performance of our sponsorship program," said Tim Rutledge, vice president and brand director for Jack Daniel's. "We have enjoyed building strong relationships with the people in Richard's organization and throughout NASCAR.  While it is difficult for us to end our formal relationship with RCR, the current economic environment has compelled us to revaluate our spending and we've concluded that other areas in the marketing mix require additional investment."

The Jack Daniels company began sponsoring the Richard Childress Racing #07 in 2005 and will remain on the car through the season ending race in November.

"We want to thank the many friends and fans of the Jack Daniel's 07 Racing Team, and we can't say enough about your incredible support over the last five years.  And, as we have since 1866, we will continue to find ways to thank you and keep your loyalty of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey," said Rutledge.

Dave Blaney, Clint Bowyer and Casey Mears have driven the #07 in a total of 171 races to date. The team made the Chase for the Sprint Cup in 2007 and 2008 with Bowyer.

"Brown-Forman has been a great partner of RCR for the past five years through its Jack Daniel's brand," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "They quickly became a NASCAR-industry leader in the promotion of the Jack Daniel's brand through the Pace Yourself, Drink Responsibly messaging, which our fans have embraced.  We understand the shift in their spending priorities during these tough economic times and the No. 07 Jack Daniel's Racing program will continue to provide that successful platform for the rest of the 2009 season.  We have built many valuable relationships with the loyal Brown-Forman employees and their distributors during our partnership and look forward to maintaining those relationships in the future."

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