Nextel to Sponsor NASCAR Series

Washington Post ^ | Liz Clarke

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NASCAR Heeds Call of a New Sponsor
Nextel Replaces Winston in No. 1 Position

By Liz Clarke
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 18, 2003; Page D01

For 33 years, NASCAR and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company have been so closely linked that race fans exhale them in a single breath: NASCAR's Winston Cup series.

That long association is coming to an end as Reston-based Nextel Communications Inc. assumes sponsorship of NASCAR's elite division, which since 1971 has been known as the Winston Cup.

NASCAR officials yesterday confirmed that company chairman and CEO Bill France Jr. will be in New York Thursday for a "major news announcement," along with four-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon and rising star Dale Earnhardt Jr. Nextel officials will join them in unveiling the deal, expected to be worth $60 million to $100 million a year and to rank among the most lucrative in sports.

[Servant of the Nine]

What's amazing is that The Washington Post knows what NASCAR is.

So9

[NC Conservative]

I am no racing fan but NASCAR is saying screw the traditions. They are getting rid of the Labor Day race in Darlington, SC and one race in Rockingham, NC. TO show you how much I hate racing I used to live 10 minutes from Darlington Raceway and never went to a race. They also give money to Jesse Jackass!