Nationwide Insurance will no longer be a Hendrick Motorsports sponsor after 2019, it was announced Wednesday afternoon (June 12).
The news was first reported by Adam Stern of the Sports Business Journal and Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass.
Full statement from Nationwide on leaving Hendrick Motorsports after this season. It was scheduled to be primary for 20 races next year. First reported by Adam Stern/SportsBusiness Daily: #nascar pic.twitter.com/JSu2an0Eog
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 12, 2019
“Since 2015, Nationwide has had the pleasure of being the primary sponsor for the No. 88 team – first with Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the driver and then with Alex Bowman,” Nationwide’s statement read in part.
“As Nationwide’s business needs evolve, we are adjusting our marketing resources to ensure that we are aligning to those new business priorities.”
Earnhardt won three times in Nationwide colors, all in 2015. Jeff Gordon also piloted the Nationwide machine in 2016 while filling in for an injured Earnhardt.
The Ohio-based company was slated to be the primary sponsor of Bowman’s No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for 20 races in 2020.
However, Bowman is still under contract for next season.
Before joining HMS, the company was the title sponsor of the Xfinity Series from 2008-14 and was with Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 17 and Ricky Stenhouse Jr from 2012-14.
Bowman is having the best season of his career so far, with three top fives and five top 10s through 15 races, all coming since Talladega Superspeedway. He is currently 10th in the standings, 67 points inside the cutline, where teammate Jimmie Johnson holds the final playoff position. The No. 88 team is 10th in the MENCS owner standings with 433 points.