For those who think any association between drinking and driving is wrong, here's some good news: Anheuser-Busch has announced that it will end its sponsorship of NASCAR's second-leading race series next year, the Associated Press reported Dec. 19.

The brewer has sponsored the "Busch Series" of races for 25 years, but said that the 2007 season would be the last time the company would be the name sponsor of the series. Anheuser-Busch said the move was part of a broad reassessment of its marketing strategy; the cost of sponsoring the racing series is expected to expand well beyond the current $10 million annually because ESPN is about to become the sole broadcaster of series races. A company official also hinted that the brewer was concerned about splitting its marketing focus between the Busch and Budweiser brands.

However, Anheuser-Busch will continue to pay the racing circuit for the right to be called "the official beer of NASCAR," will remain the lead sponsor of driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., and will still sponsor the annual Budweiser Shootout exhibition race.