Outback Could Be On Its Way Out Of SHR Following '18 Season

Outback Steakhouse’s sponsorship of Stewart-Haas Racing may be ending after this season, as the restaurant chain quietly downshifted to being an associate sponsor this year instead of sharing the primary sponsorship of Kevin Harvick's No. 4 Ford. This is the final year on Outback's current deal with SHR. The restaurant chain has a popular retail offer where fans get a free Bloomin’ Onion appetizer on Mondays after NASCAR races when Harvick finishes in the top 10, something that is in effect today following Harvick's fourth-place finish at Talladega yesterday. Outback has a personal marketing deal with Harvick, and it appears that will be its main connection to NASCAR after this season. SHR VP/Sales & Marketing Mike Verlander in a statement said it will "continue to determine how much or how little it augments Kevin’s ongoing relationship" with Outback. Verlander added SHR “has enjoyed a very successful partnership with Outback Steakhouse on and off the track, and the Bloomin’ Monday promotion we collaborated on has been an industry case study of activation success.” Bloomin’ Brands, which owns Outback, did not respond to a request for comment.