LAS VEGAS -- NASCAR announced an agreement with Monster Energy on Thursday that makes the energy drink maker the title sponsor of its top series in 2017, ending a lengthy process of finding a replacement for Sprint.NASCAR Chairman Brian France declined to provide financial details or the length of the deal, saying it was a complicated agreement that includes option years. It was believed to be for less money than Sprints multimillion-dollar sponsorship.Its a different kind of agreement, for sure, in that is has activation in different ways and media in different ways, France said at a news conference with the NASCAR and Monster logos serving as a backdrop. But were quite pleased with the agreement and there will be no changes at all (to operations budgets). In fact, I think youll see some additional activation and additional things that will occur.France indicated theyre still in discussions with Corona, California-based Monster Beverage Corporation on the exact name of the 2017 Cup series.Cellular company Sprints 13-year run as title sponsor ended last month, when Jimmie Johnson captured his record-tying seventh series title in the season finale at Homestead.NASCAR had hoped to have a new sponsor in place by early fall. The delay had produced uncertainty for a sport that has suffered attendance and television ratings declines in recent years.Im so excited for it, said Joey Logano, who finished second behind Johnson and watched the news conference with several other drivers in a Las Vegas Strip hotel ballroom. Im sure it will be a great partner for our sport. Sprint has been unbelievable through my career.The lack of a deal led NASCAR to announce details of its 2017 season-opening non-points race at Daytona without a sponsor, something Sprint had handled in the past. Monster Energy will sponsor NASCARs All-Star race, which Sprint had done.Steve Phelps, NASCARs global marketing officer, said they talked with hundreds of brands about the sponsorship deal, finalizing it a day before NASCARs season-ending banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas.I know the industry was starting to get a little bit nervous about the timing of this. But the timing is actually perfect, Phelps said. We didnt step on our championship and what happened in crowning a seven-time champion. We didnt step on our existing partner, and we were very, very patient to find the right partner.Monsters caffeine-filled energy drinks, known for its green clawed-M logo, are targeted to young consumers and NASCAR has stressed the importance of finding younger fans.We do have some ideas about how we can make NASCAR more attractive to what I would call a different audience, said Mark Hall, Monsters chief marketing officer.Monster Energy was already involved in NASCAR, serving as primary sponsor of Kurt Buschs No. 41 Cup car at Stewart-Haas Racing. It has also sponsored Kyle Busch in the Xfinity Series.Kurt Busch said his individual sponsorship deal and long-term personal services contract with Monster will continue.It wont affect our situation, Busch said. Theyve been very happy with what weve done together.Monster created additional publicity this week with its logo splashed on Tiger Woods golf bag as he makes his return from injury in a tournament in the Bahamas. It has also been a sponsor in motocross and Formula One.Monster Beverage announced last month that third quarter net sales increased 4.1 percent to $788 million from the same period a year ago. It announced a strategic partnership in 2015 that gave the Coca-Cola Company a 16.7 percent stake in Monster. The two companies share distribution networks.Monster takes over for Sprint, which inherited the NASCAR deal when it merged with Nextel in 2008. Sprint announced in December 2014 that it would not extend the deal.Nextel has replaced cigarette maker R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., which had sponsored NASCARs top circuit since 1971 under its Winston brand. That deal ended in 2003 in part because of the tobacco settlement with the federal government that reduced the industrys ability to advertise.Thursdays announcement gives NASCAR and Monster a little more than two months to prepare for the start of 2017 season, which begins with the Daytona 500 on Feb. 26. Previous title sponsors have spent tens of millions of dollars promoting the sport.They understand motorsports. They understand NASCAR, France said of Monster. They understand how to reach across and excite our core audience and help us deliver on a new audience. That was very exciting for us. Nyle McFarlane Jersey Retro . It was hard for Luck to pull off another comeback, or even get into the end zone, while standing on the sideline. Rivers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keenan Allen and Nick Novak kicked four field goals to give the Chargers a 19-9 victory against the Colts on Monday night. Joe Francis Jersey Retro . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. https://www.cheapjerseyslines.com/jeff-walker-jersey-retro/ . 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No contract. However talks broke down last month, reportedly over Etzebeths proposed wages. But there has been speculation that Etzebeth could sign a short-term deal with Premiership strugglers Bristol in a bid to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation. Pieter-Steph du Toit scores South Africas first try against the Barbarians at Wembley The 25-year-old, set to play for South Africa against England in the Sky Live match at Twickenham on Saturday, would be available following the conclusion of the Springboks European tour before returning home in the Spring to see out the final year of his current contract with the Stormers.Eben Etzebeth playing up here would be a great experience for him because he would be playing against top quality locks in the northern hemisphere game, the Springbok coach said. 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