UPDATE: US: A-B spurns Miller race bet

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 12 February 2007

Anheuser-Busch has refused to accept a cheeky bet from rival Miller Brewing ahead of the ahead of the upcoming NASCAR race series in the US.

To spice up the 2007 season, Miller had tabled a wager to A-B on the outcome of this year's NASCAR series - with the naming rights for two top US baseball stadiums on the line.

The bet would have seen Busch Stadium, the home of baseball team St. Louis Cardinals, become Miller Lite Stadium for a three-game series in 2008, if the Miller Lite car finished ahead of the Budweiser car in the NASCAR series. If the Budweiser car had triumphed, however, the bet would have seen Miller Park, the home of the Milwaukee Brewers, named Budweiser Park for the series of matches between the two teams.

However, A-B has poured cold water on Miller's plan and declined its rival's offer. Dale Earnhardt Jr, the NASCAR driver sponsored by Budweiser, said he is focused on winning the NEXTEL Cup, NASCAR's top racing series.

He said: "Racing is my job, not a bet. My only priority is to build on last season's success and win the NEXTEL Cup."

Sectors: Beer & cider

Companies: Anheuser-Busch, Miller Brewing