GoDaddy is staying with Danica Patrick in NASCAR and leaving IndyCar.
Andretti Autosport will be announcing a new primary sponsor Saturday to replace GoDaddy next season on the car currently driven by James Hinchcliffe.
“We looked at our customer acquisition costs and it’s an audience size issue,” Irving said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “The customer acquisition costs between the web, between regular TV and between NASCAR and IndyCar, IndyCar is the most expensive acquisition vehicle we have. It was pretty expensive on a per customer cost.”
Team owner Michael Andretti announced Friday he’d reveal a new sponsor before Saturday’s IndyCar finale.
“Throughout their seven-year relationship, Andretti Autosport and GoDaddy have together achieved great milestones,” the team said. “Together the partnership saw Hinchcliffe sit on the front row of the famed Indianapolis 500, while earning the distinction as the most popular driver in the sport as voted by the fans. Andretti Autosport is grateful to GoDaddy for years of support and friendship as it transitions its 27-car entry to a new primary sponsor beginning in 2014.”
GoDaddy joined Andretti as an associate sponsor for Patrick in 2007, and became the primary sponsor on her car in 2010. GoDaddy went with Patrick to NASCAR when she started in the Nationwide Series and followed her when she went full-time in the Sprint Series in 2013.
“We frankly love Danica and think that Danica represents and personifies what GoDaddy represents – small businesses and people who have ideas,” Irving said. “Here’s a woman who had an idea and went through the challenges to become a driver in a male dominated sport. She represents the idea that the totally impossible is possible and we love that kind of person.
“She’s going to be with us for an awful, awful long time.”
Patrick’s best finish this season was 10th at the season opening Daytona 500.