NASCAR’s Winston Cup Series will keep its title sponsor, Winston, through the 2002 season, but the National Hot Rod Association has fallen victim to the so-called “Big Tobacco” settlement.
Rick Sanders, president of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company’s Sports Marketing Enterprises branch, announced that RJR will continue its long-standing relationship with NASCAR’s premier league through 2002. Due to the Master Settlement Agreement, tobacco companies are limited in their sponsorship opportunities. When it came down to deciding between NASCAR and the NHRA, the Winston Cup circuit won out.
“These decisions were extraordinarily difficult to make,” Sanders said. “Our sponsorships are highly valued, but the MSA is clear on this matter and we had to make a decision.
“Currently the limitation we have is to a single brand-name sponsorship, so we will continue our 31-year sponsorship agreement with NASCAR, which includes Winston Cup and Winston West, and relinquish our relationship with the NHRA.”
RJR also sponsors a Senior PGA Tour event, and will make a decision on that relationship at a later date.
“We are very happy with our sponsorship with both organizations,” Sanders said, “and we had to consider many factors in order to reach our decision. In the final analysis, NASCAR had the edge in attendance and number of events, and we had to select only one.”
RJR has been affiliated with the NHRA for 27 years. Aside from pulling out as a title sponsor at the close of the current season, it will also end its relationship with Team Winston at year’s end. Team Winston features Top Fuel dragster champion Gary Scelzi, as well as Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Angelle Savoie.
