Winston Wants Out.

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pbunch

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I read on ESPN That Winston want out of the Nascar game.Go to ESPN.This may be the begining of the end. :eek:
 
Hopefully Coke will pick up the sponsership. I really don't see anyone else being able too.


NASCAR is drowning itself in its own greed.
 
Originally posted by fergy1370@Feb 4 2003, 09:47 PM
Hopefully Coke will pick up the sponsership. I really don't see anyone else being able too.


NASCAR is drowning itself in its own greed.
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Yes they are. Winston Cup Empty?
NASCAR's top series champion in 2004 might not be the Winston Cup champion. Robin Miller reports that after a 33-year association, R.J. Reynolds is considering pulling out as the title sponsor of what is now the Winston Cup series. The company has five years remaining on its contract with NASCAR but could withdraw if a replacement is found.

• RPM.ESPN.com spotlight index | Winston Cup spotlights
• Spots: R. Schumacher | Unser Jr. | Lemarie | M. Wallace

.
 
Bunch, I live at in the city of the headquarters for RJR, and believe me, if that were the case, I'd have heard something. However, having read the article, it doesn't surprise me. There was talk about this a few years ago and it will happen one day. It is said that NASCAR really doesn't need a sponsor for it's top series, but the advertising that would come along is something that some companies might find irresistable. Budweiser would seem to me to be the perfect replacement with it's Busch series already in place. What ever happens, I don't believe that NASCAR is going to go anywhere soon. It's pretty solid.
 
Maybe not the end of Nascar,But you can't blame Winston as a name.They don't have to carry that burden anymore.The sport is headed in the same direction as every other major sport.I can't wait till Dale Jr forms a union,and has Cheryl Crow speaking on unfare labor practice in Nascar. :unsure:
 
Could this just be posturing by RJR to get some favorable points during the renegotiation of contracts and sponsorship?
 
UPS, Coca-Cola and McDonald's are thought to be very interested in hitching their wagon to the marketing monster that has become NASCAR.
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Really could not get up for the McDonald's Cup
 
Originally posted by N2racin88@Feb 4 2003, 10:09 PM
UPS, Coca-Cola and McDonald's are thought to be very interested in hitching their wagon to the marketing monster that has become NASCAR.
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Really could not get up for the McDonald's Cup
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How about the Viagra Cup. :D It really could happen.I see Pepsi getting a leg up,I see R.J Reynolds as a broker selling a spot,Hell, they have three years left on there contract.Sell while you control,not when the guts are out of the deal.
 
Sure would be hard to win one of those :p
Sorry, I couldn't help myself :p
 
Well it HAS been rumored for several years now. All the lawsuits against the tobacco companies HAVE to be dragging them down. I kinda guessed it when they dropped the NO BULL deal. I said they were loosing interest.

It's going to be interesting at just WHO NASCAR goes after to take over. I am sure that SOMEBODY will step in to take their place.

I doubt McDonalds---they just reported a bad year. I could see one of the soft drink giants though. They sponsor just about everything-- why not the nations premier motorsporting championship?
 
As long as it doesn't become the Viagra Cup or Hooters Cup,LMAO!! B)
 
I'm not terribly upset that Winston would be leaving, but I would be concerned what sponsor would pick it up.


Please not Dupont, please not Dupont, please not Dupont, please not Dupont, please not Dupont...
 
Originally posted by rpmallen@Feb 5 2003, 09:25 AM
I'm not terribly upset that Winston would be leaving, but I would be concerned what sponsor would pick it up.


Please not Dupont, please not Dupont, please not Dupont, please not Dupont, please not Dupont...
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Why not Dupont? (just curious)
 
It has been Winston Cup for so long it would be strange to call it anything else.

If I had to choose from sponsors, I would hope that Budwieser or maybe Microsoft would step up. The Bud Cup doesn't sound bad but Microsoft would have to change the series name to something like the Microsoft Stock Car Racing Series or something and we would all call it W/C anyways.
 
http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/5111119.htm


By DAVID POOLE
The Charlotte Observer

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A spokesman for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco said Tuesday night that there's no validity to an Internet report saying the company is considering ending its sponsorship of NASCAR's top series after the 2003 season.
An ESPN.com story quotes an anonymous source as saying RJR, which has the name of one of its brands of cigarettes on the Winston Cup series, "would walk away if a suitable replacement could be found."

But Denny Darnell, senior manager of media relations for Sports Marketing Enterprises, the division of RJR that directs the NASCAR program, said the company isn't looking to leave.

"We have just signed a multi-year deal with NASCAR to continue our long-running partnership," Darnell said. "We're looking forward to the 2003 season and beyond."

Winston began its sponsorship of NASCAR's top series in 1971 and has spent millions in bonus and points fund money since.



It looks like all this talk about them living is for nothing. I'm glad that Winston is not leaving as the sponsor of the Cup series. It would just be a little weird to see the WC series called the Coca-Cola Cup series, or the UPS Cup Series.
 
you can't belive evertthig that Thats racing says... Ive seen some bogose stuff on there before.
 
Maybe spok, but Poole generally knows his stuff.

If this ever were to happen, I find it hard to imagine anyone outbidding Budweiser. But I agree, it's been Winston Cup as long as I remember. Kinda like trying to say Nokia Sugar Bowl....just rolls off the tongue funny.

Maybe racing-forums.com could step in and sponsor it... :lol:
 
I would tend to believe Mr. Poole before I would Robin Millar.
 
I still remember Grand Nationals, I guess that makes me pretty old, eh?
 
Originally posted by Walrus_3@Feb 5 2003, 02:33 PM
I still remember Grand Nationals, I guess that makes me pretty old, eh?
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Oh, me too. But it was the Winston Cup Grand National Tour.
 
you can throw any name in there , and it would just never sound the same
Wilson Cup, Wellington Cup, Trojan Cup... Naahhhh :p
 
If Winston does leave NASCAR, I think NASCAR shoould be carefull who they get as there next sponsor, with all these big company scandles and companys filling for bankruptcy and some having huge losses like AOL's billion dollors they just loss, I think it would be better if they just try to stay away from them company's and try to go with a company with alittle more stability like Coke or something. Giving NASCAR a new sponsor like the Coka-Cola Cup might sound wierd but I can get use to it.

Coke might not be the best example since some of the drivers are sponsored by Pepsi and others, and there might be a conflict of intrests, there has to be some company out there they could get that wouldn't conflict with any of the drivers sponsors. How about the Playboy Cup, I like that one, fast cars and fast woman, what could be better.
 
Thatsracing is not the only site reporting the ESPN story to be bogus.....

"A spokesman for the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company has flatly denied a report by ESPN.com it was considering ending its sponsorship of NASCAR's Winston Cup Series.

The story quoted an unnamed source as saying the company, which began its sponsorship of NASCAR's top series in 1971, "would walk away if a suitable replacement could be found." Denny Darnell, senior manager of media relations for Sports Marketing Enterprises, denied any truth to those rumors.

"We have just signed a multi-year deal with NASCAR to continue our long-running partnership," said Darnell, who's firm oversees the marketing and promotion of RJR's sponsorship. "We're looking forward to the 2003 season and beyond."

The Winston Brand has been associated with NASCAR racing for more than 33 years. This year's Winston Cup points fund was increased to $17 million, including a more than $4 million payday to the champion."

That is from SPEEDfx

I think the ESPN report was just a little revenge for being cast aside, and your right Poole is more reliable than Miller. I dont much care for either of them, they have a hard time being objective.

Kel
 
Well I have a hard time believing anyone on this one. :) I can remember a certain someone saying that his driver would be back next year. Hmmm, that one didn't pan out. For what it's worth, and that ain't much, one of the guys I work with has a big "in" in RJR sports marketing and he was quite surprised when I asked him if there was anything to this story. Hadn't heard a thing about it. We all know that stories can start anywhere. Also, strategies usually begin at the top and work their way down the ladder. Someone on the board of directors could have mentioned that was something they were thinking about, and that could have gotten out to the press. The rest of the story could have been forgotten or just plain deleted. In any event, they have denied the story and all we can do now is wait and see. I can tell you that the work force at RJR is not growing. Maybe it's just the economy! :)

Oh yeah, what about a real Hooter's Cup? B)
 
I really don't see the big deal here....NHRA found a new sponsor and they are doing fine. So if there is any truth to this rumor....so what! There are plenty of sponsors to take the place of a lousy cig. company, i for one would love to see tobacco not associated with Nascar.
 
The Story was report on the local Winston-Salem TV News last night.
Joe
 
Originally posted by 66mustang@Feb 5 2003, 05:10 PM
I think it should be the Ford Racing cup.  Yep....
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Fine with me, if no ford vehicles are allowed to contend in any nascar sanctioned event, Being that it might be biased.

B) :p
 
And the dancing continues..............

"By DAVID POOLE
The Charlotte Observer

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Winston and NASCAR have discussed the prospect of the sanctioning body finding a new title sponsor for its top racing series, an official with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. admitted Wednesday.
"In our ongoing conversations with NASCAR, we have discussed the potential of their exploring a new series sponsor at some time in the future," Ned Leary, president of Sports Marketing Enterprises for RJR, said in a statement issued Wednesday.

Leary's statement included no definitive word that RJR will end its sponsorship of the Winston Cup series, a relationship that began in 1971. Neither did it give any timetable for making such a decision.

"I hope it doesn't happen," said Clay Campbell, president of Martinsville Speedway. "If it does, they definitely will be missed."

NASCAR officials did not return phone calls seeking comment on the statement, in which Leary said NASCAR and RJR had signed a five-year contract for Winston to be the title sponsor last year.

"Since that time, our business dynamics have changed dramatically," the statement said. RJR's parent company lost $59 million in the final three months of 2002 and has eliminated about 600 jobs from its total work force.

Still, any possibility that NASCAR and RJR could part ways brings huge ramifications for stock-car racing.

The first Winston Cup points fund in 1971 totaled $100,000, with champion Richard Petty collecting $40,000. Last year, the fund's total was $14 million. Champion Tony Stewart earned $3.75 million.

Earlier this year, Winston announced that the 2003 points fund would be $17 million, $4.25 million of which would go to the champion. That puts the company's total points-fund contributions to the sport alone over the $100 million mark.

Winston also sponsors The Winston all-star race, which will this year be held at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte for the 18th time in its 19-year history.

The company also sponsors the Winston West series and, before dropping the program after last season, its No Bull 5 bonus program awarded $1 million bonuses to drivers and fans in designated races.

RJR previously sponsored NASCAR's weekly racing series at dozens of short tracks around the country and has also spent millions of dollars supporting tracks hosting Winston Cup events.

"I don't think everybody appreciates what RJR brought to the table in terms of signage, suites and track-side promotions alone," said Andrew Gurtis, president of Darlington Raceway. "(Its departure) would leave a huge hole."

While Wednesday's statement from Leary stopped well short of saying that Winston is leaving NASCAR, speculation about a replacement has already begun.

"In a hypothetical world, if the need ever came, we think it's a pretty good property," NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said in a story posted on ESPN.com Tuesday that set off discussions about Winston's possible departure from the sport.

Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Anheuser-Busch are three companies that have been mentioned as possibilities.

"I don't doubt that NASCAR can find a replacement, but with the relationships that have been built over the years with Winston, it would be a big loss," Martinsville's Campbell said. "Things like that are hard to replace.

"I feel like somebody would jump at the chance to be the series sponsor, but Reynolds kind of picked us up in the '70s and walked down the aisle with us to where we are now."

NASCAR last week lost another longtime sponsor when the owner of the 76 brand of gasoline, ConocoPhillips, announced it would no longer be the sport's official fuel supplier after the 2003 season. "
 
The NASCAR Walmart Cup Series.....think about it !!!

I bet that "Winston Cup' sounded funny back in 1971, too...
 
NASCAR is such a sponsor whore.

I can't think of another sport that has sponsors in it's actual name.
Major League Doritos Basball
National Taco Bell Basketball Association
National Verizon Football League
Professional Home Depot Golf Association

How about simply "NASCAR"? Money grubbing bastards, as if they don't get enough money from ticket sales and commericals.
 
Originally posted by smack500+Feb 6 2003, 06:54 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (smack500 @ Feb 6 2003, 06:54 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--66mustang@Feb 5 2003, 05:10 PM
I think it should be the Ford Racing cup.  Yep....
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Fine with me, if no ford vehicles are allowed to contend in any nascar sanctioned event, Being that it might be biased.

B) :p

[/b][/quote]
I guess that would be fine with you, dude. That way, one of them bowties might actually win a race seomwhere. :lol:
 
Originally posted by paul@Feb 6 2003, 06:09 PM
NASCAR is such a sponsor whore.

I can't think of another sport that has sponsors in it's actual name.
Major League Doritos Basball
National Taco Bell Basketball Association
National Verizon Football League
Professional Home Depot Golf Association

How about simply "NASCAR"? Money grubbing bastards, as if they don't get enough money from ticket sales and commericals.
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GEEZ PAul, why is NASCAR a sponsor whore ?? Anyone who lays claim to the sponsorship of the series must come up with millions of dollars in prize money and additional awards. Yes, NASCAR no doubt gets a share, but not the money grubbing share many might think. The series sponsor gets the right to have thier name added into the series name, such as the Winston Cup Series or Coors Silver Bullet Series, and why not. In order to get monies for this additional prize money, they must sell souviners with thier name on them, just as Winston does now.

This isn't all NASCAR. It is any company that chooses to sponsor the series and the associated series at local tracks. As for the Major League Baseball, Professional Golf Assn., National Hockey League, keep in mind these are owned and operated by several different franchise organizations, facilities and individual players, whereby NASCAR is individually owned and operated.

This is no different than stadiums built with public bonding selling the naming rights of that property. In Raleigh North Carolina, a stadium built with public bonded monies is named after a financial institution. New Jersey had the MEadowlands complex building named after Continental Airlines. Look at almost every stadium or theatre in this nation and the naming rights are sold to outside enterprise. So if your list of "sponsor whores" really should be a much longer list than than the single name of NASCAR. And NASCAR does not use public bonded funds to operate. Although Bruton Smith and SMI got hefty considerations and tax abatements when they built TMS. Now, who really is the biggest sponsor whore or money grubbing bastard ??? :huh:
 
Originally posted by Whizzer@Feb 6 2003, 02:02 PM
This is no different than stadiums built with public bonding selling the naming rights of that property.
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It is different. No other sports have sponsors in their names.
 
Originally posted by paul@Feb 6 2003, 02:43 PM
It is different. No other sports have sponsors in their names.
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Paul, there are some other sports who have the sponsor name. How about the Nike Tour in golf. Golf has several tours with the sponsor name. I believe tennis also does the same.

I think I've got a scoop here too. My friend who works for RJR Sports Marketing was ready to head out to Tona earlier this week but was told to hold off til Friday. They normally get to the tracks early to set up the Winston "hype". He was told this would be the last year and that another company has already bought out the contract. I asked who and he said that he couldn't tell. I got it out of his brother in a round about way. Next year we will be watching the Coca Cola Cup series of NASCAR. Now I wonder if the annual T. Wayne Robertson Winston Cup Preview will no longer take place. If it will continue, under another name, will it be moved from Winston Salem? If so where? Atlanta? Charlotte? So many questions and too little time.
 
According to jayski Winston is reporting that they DONT want out. I did not get to read the full thing on it cause I had to go so that might be something differnt to read
 
How about simply "NASCAR"? Money grubbing bastards, as if they don't get enough money from ticket sales and commericals.
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I would like to see it called just NASCAR, Winston may have been with NASCAR for quite a while now but they are more a negative to the sport by having a cigerette company sponsor the sport in this day and age (and I have nothing against smokers here, i just would like outsiders to see the greatness of this sport and respect it and stop pointing out the negatives). I would like to see them leave.

I would like to see them have a real championship trophey (unlike the the lame ones they give that are all the same for everybody, the ones they give for the races are neater) they caouls give a name honoring some past champion like the Petty cup/trophey or Earnhardt cup/trophey, sort of like the NFL does with the Lambardi trophey and the NHL does with the Stanley Cup. And come on NASCAR, the champ should get a special trophey, they can come up with something special or get some to make it for them. Ok maybe alittle off topic, I was just ranting.
 
Hey LooneyToon, you have something there and I'll bet that something will come of the name Earnhardt. BTW, once Elliott retires, they are going to name the MPD trophy, the Elliott Trophy. Whoever does take over for RJR, I'm sure they will have a long talk about what to name the trophy and it'll be hard for them to not have their name on it in one way or another. If it were Coca Cola, it would be neat if the trophy was a big silver bottle of Coke named the Earnhardt Bottle! :)
 
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