In the wake of the All-Star Race controversy in May and the lack of competitiveness between the Pepsi-Zero Club drivers last season, Pepsi-Co has decided to abandon their involvement with the Exravaganza sanctioning body in 2020. This has currently left Zakk Miller and Michael Henson, who are both driving for the Shake-N'-Bake racing stable, without primary sponsorship heading into the 2020 season. Ryan Heuser, who has been the brand's primary media mogul in the sport for a full decade, has spoken of the situation as "devastating but understandable". Champion Tim McDonnell has been quoted as saying "It's a welcome goodbye to an unwanted profit. It's been a long time coming" Ken Pettit has quoted directly of the high-chiefs of Pepsi-Co "You can now feed your poison to the slums". John Battista also appeared cheerful of the departure of the brand, stating that "most neighborhood joints prefer coke brands." Rumors of offers have come from Coke sub-division Fresca to replace some of the revenue lost in the separation, but nothing has come to fruition yet. It will be interesting to see the final outcome.
Series Director Jeremy Pringle: "The greatest exodus in all of motorsports."
Ryan Heuser with former Truck Series Driver Warren Long in famous "Vermont Pepsi Pong" commercial in 2011.