A-B's Budweiser brand "will be the official beer" of
the new KY Speedway, according to Terry Flynn of the
CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, who calls it "easily the most important
deal the fledgling racetrack has landed." Under terms of
the three-year deal, Budweiser will receive signage around
the 1.5 mile track and serve as a marketing partner "in
promoting races and special events." KY Speedway President
& co-Owner Jerry Carroll: "Budweiser is the biggest name in
racing sponsorship. These guys (Anheuser-Busch) make things
happen." Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will drive the Budweiser-
sponsored car full-time next year on the NASCAR Winston Cup
circuit, attended the news conference announcing the deal.
The KY Speedway, set to open in June 2000, has also received
sponsorship commitments from Cintas, Ford, Tristate Quality
Ford Dealers, Blue Grass Quality Meats and Coca-Cola
(CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 7/29). Carroll "hopes the deal will
lead to even bigger deals" and the Budweiser name "should
bring a lot of credibility" to the track. In Lexington,
Travis Mayo writes that A-B "may help lure" a Busch Series
race to the track next year (LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, 7/29).
