‘Duck Dynasty’ Gang Lands a New Gig – as Car-Race Sponsors

For the next three years, annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be referred to as the Duck Commander 500

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The Robertson family of “Duck Dynasty” fame aren’t spinning their wheels after weathering the controversy over patriarch Phil’s anti-gay comments.

Well, OK — maybe they’ll be spinning their wheels just a little.

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The Robertsons have entered a three-year sponsorship deal with Speedway Motorsports, owners of Texas Motor Speedway,  to serve as the title sponsor for Texas Motor Speedways’ annual April race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

For the next few years, at least, the race will be referred to as the Duck Commander 500.

The next race, which takes place annually at Texas Motor Speedway, is scheduled for April 6. The sponsorship deal includes a three-year renewal option.

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In addition to having the name of their duck-call company slapped on the event, the Robertsons will enjoy substantial product presence for their empire at the Texas Motor Speedway. Naturally, an “extensive line” of Duck Commander 500 merchandise will be available at the track, as well as in the Speedway World souvenir store and through Duck Commander retail partners.

“We’re excited about the partnership for the Duck Commander 500, being aligned with NASCAR, and to have our brand associated with an event of this magnitude,” Duck Commander CEO and “Duck Dynasty” star Willie Robertson said. “We are all big fans of NASCAR and have been all our lives. It’s especially exciting to see our brand join to make it an awesome experience for the fan base and we can’t think of a better place than our neighbor at the Texas Motor Speedway.”

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Phil Robertson, who describes himself as a product of the ’60s who turned to religion after hitting rock bottom, found himself in hot water last year after he gave an interview to GQ in which he likened gay people to drunks and terrorists. Robertson was briefly suspended from the A&E series, but quickly reinstated following backlash from supporters.

(Correction: An earlier version of this story indicated that Duck Commander had struck a deal with NASCAR, and that the Sprint Cup Series would be retitled Duck Commander 500, rather than the specific April race. TheWrap regrets the error.)

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