Despite IMG and CART at an impasse over the future of
the CART event in Cleveland, Medic Drug has agreed to a one-
year extension, with an option for two additional years, to
continue its title sponsorship of Cleveland's Grand Prix
race. In Cleveland, Amy Rosewater reports that IMG has
"balked at CART's increase in its sanctioning fees"
(Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 6/24)....NASCAR drivers in the
"Coca-Cola Racing Family," including Dale Earnhardt, Dale
Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Bill Elliott, Jeff Burton, Kyle
Petty and Ricky Rudd, will be individually featured on Coca-
Cola Classic bottles beginning this summer. Coca-Cola will
add Dale Earnhardt Jr, Tony Stewart and Jeremy Mayfield to
the collection. In addition, a commemorative bottle will
feature Coca-Cola's designation as NASCAR's Official Soft
Drink (Coca-Cola)....NHRA racer Kenny Bernstein and
Budweiser have agreed to a three-year contract extension,
with an option that could extend the deal through 2005.
Budweiser, a Bernstein sponsor since '80, is also the
"Official Beer of the NHRA" (Bud Racing).
