NASCAR and A-B announced Friday a multi-year renewal of
Busch beer's title sponsorship of the Busch Grand National
(BGN) Series. NASCAR also unveiled a new BGN logo and
outlined a marketing plan designed to showcase the series.
The marketing program includes a BGN-specific ad campaign,
local wholesaler support through radio promos, pre-race
events and retail sales promos and displays. The new deal
increases the BGN point fund and marketing support by both
the Busch brand and NASCAR. NASCAR Senior VP Brian France:
"Our goal now is to enhance and promote the series like we
have never before done." France noted that BGN attendance
has grown 286% in the last 10 years (NASCAR). Races were
added in Memphis and Phoenix in '99, and the only site not
awarded a return date from '98 was Hickory (NC) Motor
Speedway, because the venue "failed to meet the minimum
purse contribution." The Gateway Int'l Raceway event
outside of St. Louis was moved to the end of July and will
be run on a Saturday night (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 11/14).
IN THE PITTS: Alltel will be the official race car
sponsor for Phil Parsons Racing and driver Phil Parsons in
the '99 BGN Series. Alltel has been an associate BGN
sponsor for the past two years (Alltel)....Roush Racing and
Hardee's inked a multi-year partnership. The deal "will
give Hardee's the opportunity" to feature Roush drivers in
marketing programs (NASCAR WINSTON CUP SCENE, 11/12).
