Sprint to end NASCAR sponsorship following 2016 season

Sprint will cease its sponsorship of NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series following the completion of the 2016 season.

Sprint will cease its sponsorship of NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series following the completion of the 2016 season, NASCAR announced on Tuesday. 

The company said it was ending its sponsorship because it wanted to place greater emphasis on its core business responsibilities.   

"We are proud of our association with NASCAR's top series but have made the decision not to extend our sponsorship beyond the next two years," said Steve Gaffney, vice president-Marketing, Sprint. "As we look to the future, Sprint is focused on investing in maintaining a competitive edge and providing consumers with the best value in wireless."

Sprint has sponsored NASCAR since 2004. The Cup, which was called the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series when Sprint partnered with NASCAR, was renamed the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2008 when Nextel merged with Sprint. 

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The Sprint Cup is the top-flight racing series in NASCAR. Kevin Harvick won the competition in 2014. 

"We genuinely appreciate the fans, teams, drivers, tracks and media who have been so supportive and welcoming to us during these many race seasons," said Gaffney. "We look forward to our remaining time as sponsor of the Sprint Cup Series and eventually assisting with the transition to NASCAR's next title partner."

The 2015 Sprint Cup Series begins in February at Daytona International Speedway. 

- Stanley Kay