Budweiser, The Biggest Loser In The Earnhardt Feud

By now, I'm sure that you've heard about Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaving DEI for Hendrick Motorsports. In case you missed it, Dale Jr. signed a five year deal with Hendrick last month.
It was reported today that because of "agreements in place" Budweiser will no longer be able to sponsor Dale Jr. It effectively ends a relationship that Budweiser has spent 10 years building.

Budweiser is the "official beer of NASCAR", sponsors the Bud Shootout, and up until today had their logo splashed all over the car of one of NASCAR's most visible drivers. The sponsorship was so strong that one point Budweiser produced a special edition "Dale Jr. Eight Pack". No, not 6 or 12, but 8.

Now, they won't be able to reap any benefits of whatever success Dale Jr. is able to attain at Hendrick. Even if he doesn't win a lot of races, he'll still be focused on every single week because of the move from DEI, and his new partnership with former rival Jeff Gordon. Budweiser has spent a lot of time and money to become synonymous with NASCAR and Dale Jr., and stand to the lose the most with his recent move to Hendrick Racing.

Ironically, as I was typing this post I looked out the window, and across the street there's a Chevy Trailblazer with a #8 Budweiser flag attached to the window.