Baker said that if he could secure $1 million in sponsorship funds — considered a bare minimum for a team in NASCAR’s second-tier series — Baker Curb Racing could win this year’s Nationwide Series championship. “This is a Super Bowl team, and we could bring home the championship to Tennessee,” he said. “Look what we were able to do last year with a team that was only three-quarters funded: Greg Biffle almost won several races for us. We were that close.”

"Some of the biggest moments in sports come during NCAA Basketball® each year," said Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Business Unit. "Together with the NCAA and the CBS Sports-Turner Sports Alliance, we will be there every action packed step of the way, from the opening tip off to the cutting of the nets. It's always an exciting time, and Infiniti is proud to be a part of the inspiration that NCAA Basketball delivers."

Neither Bernard nor Firestone's Al Speyer would reveal particulars of the discussions, but it's believed to be tied to the Nashville-based company's overall marketing objectives. "We have to look and compare all of our options, and motor sports is one of the many options out there," said Speyer, the executive director of Bridgestone Americas Motorsports. "Maybe there are too many (options)."