Coca-Cola (KO) has extended partnerships with NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation (ISCA) through 2023, extending a 50-year association that has made the brand one of the “most recognized sponsors” in the sport. The integrated agreement means that KO will remain the “Official Soft Drink of NASCAR” and be the leading (non-alcoholic) pour of 21 NASCAR sanctioned race tracks (ISCA owns 12) for the 2018 season. In addition to pouring rights, KO’s immersive NASCAR marketing approach includes race entitlements (Coca-Cola 600, Coca-Cola 400) and the Coca-Cola Racing Family; a group of top drivers that make appearances and are featured in advertising, promotions and packaging.
Howie Long-Short: Back in early October, ISCA reported revenue for the quarter ending August 31st rose 2.2% (to $131.9 million), despite race attendance continuing to decline; with the hosting of non-traditional events, food, beverage & merchandise sales offsetting sagging ticket sales. The company has set 2017 revenue guidance at $660-$670 million; for comparison purposes, ISCA generated $661 million in 2016. The race track owner/manager will report 2017 full year earnings on January 25th.
Fan Marino: The Coca-Cola Racing Family includes 3 of the Top 11 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings; Denny Hamlin (6), Kyle Larson (8) and Austin Dillon (11). Prior to last season’s playoffs, I had a chance to sit down with Austin Dillon (a market buff) and talk to him about the personal stock portfolio he manages (i.e. not his retirement account). I asked him, if there was a trade you could take back; what would it be?
Dillon: I messed up on Tesla (TSLA), badly. I had it at $44. One of my engineers was like ‘it’s not going anywhere’ and I sold it (currently at $344). I had around 200 shares.
Fun Fact: Dillon played for the South-East team in the 2002 Little League World Series.
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