The makers of Jim Beam Bourbon, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., have announced they will discontinue their sponsorship of the #7 Robby Gordon Racing team at the end of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The announcement comes one day after Jack Daniels announced they will end their association with Richard Childress Racing and the #07.

"It was a difficult decision to transition away from being a Cup Series team sponsor," said Bill Newlands, president Beam Global Spirits & Wine U.S. "We always take a hard look at our marketing resources and how we can best interact with legal purchase age consumers. After an extensive review of our marketing strategy, we have come up with new alternatives to fuel growth for Jim Beam in 2010."

Jim Beam has sponsored Robby Gordon since 2005 and will continue through the final race at Homestead.

"We would like to thank Robby Gordon and the entire No. 7 team for partnering with us these past five years," Newlands said. "Robby is a fierce and talented competitor and a sponsor couldn't ask for a more dedicated brand ambassador. Robby Gordon, fans of the Jim Beam No. 7 car and the entire No. 7 team have been very good to us, and that's what makes this such a difficult decision."

"Jim Beam has been a great partner for the past five years," Robby Gordon said. "I would like to thank them for their support through the years. They have been with me since we started the team in 2005, helping build our Cup team and aiding in its success. Great relationships have been formed, and I expect those to continue well into the future."

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