kyle-busch.jpg

One of the most recognizable NASCAR sponsors, M&M Mars, announced on Monday that they will stop sponsoring Kyle Busch in 2022. The two-time Cup Series champion has been sponsored by M&M Mars since 2008 when he joined Joe Gibbs Racing. The company was prevalent in the sport long before that, with sponsorships dating back to the 1990s.

Busch tweeted photos of memories with Mars and wrote:

"My appreciation for the entire Mars family is eternal. With 55 wins & 2 Cup titles together, we've built friendships that will last way past 2022. The Mars family has always accepted me for who I am and I'll always be thankful for that. Here's to many more trips to VL in '22!"

According to Sports Business Journal, Joe Gibbs Racing president Dave Alpern rationalized M&M Mars' departure, saying the brand "wants to try some new things - and no matter how big a brand is, they have a finite budget, so when you want to try something new, it has to come from somewhere else."

Joe Gibbs praised the company in his reflection of the time with them.

"One of the great things I love about NASCAR is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships," Joe Gibbs said. "Mars has been a tremendous example of that. We have experienced so much together over the past 15 years, including two Cup Series championships while developing friendships that will extend well beyond next year."