NASCAR's most iconic and goofiest sponsors

Nate Ryan, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

The five most iconic sponsors in NASCAR history:

STP: The paint scheme is synonymous with the most successful driver in NASCAR history. But seven-time champion Richard Petty's 1972 deal was perhaps even more significant because it became the early standard-bearer for the modern era of corporate sponsorships for teams in the Sprint Cup series.

The paint scheme is synonymous with the most successful driver in NASCAR history. But seven-time champion Richard Petty's 1972 deal was perhaps even more significant because it became the early standard-bearer for the modern era of corporate sponsorships for teams in the Sprint Cup series. R.J. Reynolds/Winston: All vestiges of the 1972-03 era have been excised from NASCAR, but Big Tobacco played a significant role in building the sport from the grass roots to the major leagues, pouring in millions of dollars in marketing while painting racetrack walls red and white around the country.

All vestiges of the 1972-03 era have been excised from NASCAR, but Big Tobacco played a significant role in building the sport from the grass roots to the major leagues, pouring in millions of dollars in marketing while painting racetrack walls red and white around the country. TEXAS SHOWDOWN: NRA 500 also a race to judgment DuPont: For the better part of two decades, Jeff Gordon made this company's automotive finishes brand the most high-profile sponsor as he won four titles and became the most transcendent driver in the country. Its famous colors also gave Gordon's top-notch pit crew its Rainbow Warriors nickname.

For the better part of two decades, Jeff Gordon made this company's automotive finishes brand the most high-profile sponsor as he won four titles and became the most transcendent driver in the country. Its famous colors also gave Gordon's top-notch pit crew its Rainbow Warriors nickname. Lowe's: Five championships and 62 victories with Jimmie Johnson has provided boundless TV exposure for the home improvement warehouse, which recently extended its deal through 2015 in the wake of the Hendrick Motorsports drivers' second Daytona 500 win.

Five championships and 62 victories with Jimmie Johnson has provided boundless TV exposure for the home improvement warehouse, which recently extended its deal through 2015 in the wake of the Hendrick Motorsports drivers' second Daytona 500 win. Budweiser: Probably most remembered for its association with Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the first eight seasons in the career of NASCAR's most popular driver. Budweiser has been a team sponsor since 1983 (winning the 1985 title with Darrell Waltrip) and a backer of Daytona International Speedway since 1979.

Honorable mention: Miller Lite has adorned the No. 2 driven by series champion Brad Keselowski for more than two decades. … Goody's has been endorsed by Petty since 1977 and recently added Earnhardt Jr. as a spokesman. … Mountain Dew was on Waltrip's car for 1981-82 titles and now is on Earnhardt's No. 88 as a diet brand.

The five goofiest sponsors in NASCAR history:

Boudreaux's Butt Paste: This all-purpose diaper rash remedy has been bouncing around stock cars in NASCAR and ARCA Series, once prompting legendary team owner Junie Donlavey to remark, "it seems to be the biggest thing going for all these young mamas with their babies." Talk about a perfect demographic fit!

This all-purpose diaper rash remedy has been bouncing around stock cars in NASCAR and ARCA Series, once prompting legendary team owner Junie Donlavey to remark, "it seems to be the biggest thing going for all these young mamas with their babies." Talk about a perfect demographic fit! Kim Kardashian Fragance: One of America's most famous dilettantes graced Las Vegas Motor Speedway with her presence for the March 2010 race, giving the command to start engines with automotive legend Carroll Shelby. Her pink car driven by Mike Bliss slammed the wall and finished 40th. "Not a great start, but we'll put on a brave face and say it is better to go out trying than to lose," the always eloquent Kardashian told the Las Vegas Sun.

One of America's most famous dilettantes graced Las Vegas Motor Speedway with her presence for the March 2010 race, giving the command to start engines with automotive legend Carroll Shelby. Her pink car driven by Mike Bliss slammed the wall and finished 40th. "Not a great start, but we'll put on a brave face and say it is better to go out trying than to lose," the always eloquent Kardashian told the Las Vegas Sun. Lovable: Tammy Jo Kirk was sponsored by the brassiere brand for 15 Camping World Truck Series races in 1997, posting a best finish of 11th. It's been one of a few instances of pairing women drivers with female-oriented products. Shawna Robinson was sponsored by the Vassarette bra brand for the final six Nationwide races of her NASCAR career in 2005.

Tammy Jo Kirk was sponsored by the brassiere brand for 15 Camping World Truck Series races in 1997, posting a best finish of 11th. It's been one of a few instances of pairing women drivers with female-oriented products. Shawna Robinson was sponsored by the Vassarette bra brand for the final six Nationwide races of her NASCAR career in 2005. Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips: This stuff apparently goes as well with race entitlements as potato chips, as the company with the silly name and even sillier punctuation sponsored NASCAR races with Dover International Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Watkins Glen International. It's a PA announcer's nightmare to say, but a race fan's delight to hear.

This stuff apparently goes as well with race entitlements as potato chips, as the company with the silly name and even sillier punctuation sponsored NASCAR races with Dover International Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Watkins Glen International. It's a PA announcer's nightmare to say, but a race fan's delight to hear. Viagra: The snickering started the minute pharmaceutical giant Pfizer entered NASCAR's premier series in 2000 via its erectile dysfunction drug, and it didn't subside much until its departure five years later. (We might have just inadvertently made a joke there, too.)

Honorable mention: The Spam car became a symbol of NASCAR's rise into national phenomenon in the 1990s, featured prominently in an Esquire magazine profile and on The Tonight Show. … NASCAR tries to avoid the pro wrestling comparisons, but World Championship Wrestling has appeared on some cars. … Comic book superheroes and animated characters once reigned with The Cartoon Network, Marvel Comics, Warner Bros., Universal and Looney Tunes all enjoying prime hood space.

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