One of the most entertaining ad campaigns will most likely be kicked to the curb with the debut of the ‘08 NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES.
NATIONWIDE, the home and auto insurance company is poised to become the title sponsor in the NASCAR second level series formerly known as the BUSCH SERIES. GEICO has sponsored the #7 entry for a few seasons with driver, Mike Wallace. The recent ad campaign featuring Lauren Wallace, first cousin twice removed, is one of the cleverest ads running with a NASCAR driver tie in. This kid gets my attention every time I see it. Well, the ad has not been on since the final race last weekend. The problem, once again lies with NASCAR. NATIONWIDE has been given an ‘exclusive’ as a home and auto insurance sponsor. That means the 7 team is out a sponsor. Oh, I guess it will be ok for GEICO to sponsor a NCTS entry. This time, no grandfather clause. I guess after the At&t fight, NASCAR made sure it would not be in court on this one. Too bad for Mike Wallace. Damn shame for GEICO to be kicked to the curb like that. And what about Lauren? Young Lauren had a promising career as a pitchman for GEICO snatched away by the suits in Daytona beach.
Grumpy is a long time (30+years) client of NATIONWIDE. I like ‘em, they have been good to me. I was excited to learn they were coming to NASCAR. Now, I want to call GEICO just for Lauren.
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from WIKIPEDIA
[edit] Geico Racing
The number 7 car of the NASCAR Busch Series is driven by Mike Wallace and is sponsored by GEICO. Commercials involving the race team are of a young boy claiming to be a relative of Mike Wallace and being a better driver. The boy says, “When people see Mike Wallace and the Geico number 7 doing well, they’ll think of saving a bunch of money on car insurance. But when they see me, they’ll say, ‘There goes Lauren Wallace;[10] the greatest thing to ever climb into a racecar.’”
The commercials are sometimes presented in an interview fashion, where an unseen narrator speaks to the ambitious go-kart driver. “What do you think of Mike Wallace?” the child is asked, to which he responds, “Whatever, he’s out there selling car insurance, I’m out there to win.” When questioned on his relation to the NASCAR driver, Lauren shakes his head and concludes, “I didn’t say I wouldn’t go fishing with the man, all I’m saying is if he comes near me, I’ll put him in the wall.” To which the narrator questions him, “You don’t race in the Busch Series.” Lauren replies “Listen, go-kart track, grocery store, those remote controlled boats; when it comes to Mike Wallace the story ends with me putting him in the wall.”
New ads in this lineup include Lauren referring to himself as being, “100 miles away and ready to strike,” and “lightning in a bottle.”
Update: Here’s the newer post on Mike Wallace, and be sure to check out “The Misadventures of Lauren Wallace” at the end, lol … hilarious. Jump here
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