WASHINGTON ERVING MOTORSPORTS INKS ANOTHER DOCTOR

          Dr Pepper Co. announced it will sponsor Washington
     Erving Motorsports' Ford race car on NASCAR's Busch Grand
     national circuit in '98, marking the first time the soft
     drink brand has sponsored a race car.  The maroon Dr Pepper-
     sponsored Ford Taurus will debut in February at Daytona
     Beach during Speedweeks, '98 (Dr Pepper).
          AROUND THE TRACK: The QVC network announced that it
     will not sponsor Geoff Bodine's car next year.  QVC said it
     planned to step up its involvement in NASCAR in other ways,
     but did not reveal its plans (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD,
     9/20)....Brett Bodine unveiled sponsorship from the Royal
     Purple Motor Oil Co. at Dover Downs Int'l Speedway Sunday. 
     Bodine "terminated" his sponsorship agreement with FL-based
     Catalyst Communications, Inc. on Friday after they "failed
     to meet its payment obligations."  The CA-based Royal Purple
     will provide Bodine with "full financial support" for the
     remainder of the '97 season (Indianapolis STAR-NEWS, 9/19).