GoDaddy Ending It’s Sponsorship In NASCAR

GoDaddy is ending its sponsorship with NASCAR Driver Danica Patrick at the end of the 2015 season.

The decision ends sponsorship of Patrick's No. 10 team, a relationship that paved the way for Patrick's transition from IndyCar to stock car racing five years ago and help her secure a ride with Stewart-Haas Racing, one of NASCAR's premier organizations.

The move comes as Patrick is in the final season of her contract with SHR, though both sides have openly said they would like to sign an extension. In recent years, GoDaddy has shifted its marketing initiatives away from Patrick and more towards small businesses and companies with a global reach.

"We love Danica and all she does to empower and inspire people, especially women, which is why we are working to keep her in the GoDaddy family," said Phil Bienert, GoDaddy Chief Marketing Officer, in a statement. "We have the utmost respect for Stewart-Haas Racing, and they've been phenomenal partners. In fact, NASCAR has been a tremendous domestic platform to help us achieve an 81 percent aided brand awareness domestically, but at this stage, we need a range of marketing assets that reach a more globally diverse set of customers. The fact Danica is having a record-setting season makes it tough to leave this motorsports sponsorship, without a doubt."

GoDaddy began as an associate sponsor of Patrick's in 2007 and became her full-time sponsor in 2010, the same year she begun competing in NASCAR. She is to remain as a GoDaddy spokeswoman.

"GoDaddy has been an incredible partner for a very long time and our brands have really grown up together," Patrick said. "It's pretty cool, from a marketing perspective, that we helped GoDaddy build such strong brand awareness here in the U.S. I'm excited to work with GoDaddy on a personal level moving forward, but will miss having their bright green color on my race car next year. At the same time, this is a new opportunity for a brand to pair with me and Stewart-Haas Racing and achieve the kind of growth we experienced with GoDaddy."