Monster Energy new top sponsor

Beverage company replacing Sprint

— NASCAR announced an agreement with Monster Energy on Thursday that makes the energy drink company the title sponsor of its top series in 2017, ending a lengthy process of finding a replacement for Sprint.

NASCAR Chairman Brian France declined to provide financial details or the length of the deal, saying it was a “complicated agreement” that includes option years. It was believed to be for less money than Sprint’s multimillion-dollar sponsorship.

“It’s a different kind of agreement, for sure, in that it has activation in different ways and media in different ways,” France said at a news conference with the NASCAR and Monster logos serving as a backdrop.

“But we’re quite pleased with the agreement and there will be Las Vegas no changes at all (to operations budgets). In fact, I think you’ll see some additional activation and additional things that will occur.”

France indicated NASCAR is still in discussions with Corona, Calif.-based Monster Beverage Corp. on the exact name of the 2017 Cup series.

Cellular company Sprint’s 13year run as title sponsor ended last month, when Jimmie Johnson captured his record-tying seventh series title in the season finale at Homestead.

NASCAR had hoped to have a new sponsor in place by early fall. The delay had produced uncertainty for a sport that has suffered attendance and television ratings declines in recent years.

“I’m so excited for it,” said Joey Logano, who finished second behind Johnson and watched the news conference with several other drivers in a Las Vegas Strip hotel ballroom. “I’m sure it will be a great partner for our sport. Sprint has been unbelievable through my career.”