NASCAR is examining the practice of "helping establish
licensing and merchandising deals" for young drivers, crew
chiefs and new car owners, according to Tom Jensen of
WINSTON CUP SCENE. NASCAR COO Mike Helton: "In a lot of
cases, a driver may come along and not have a licensing
effort in place until he becomes more successful. What
NASCAR's now looking at is either an exclusive or
nonexclusive relationship with the driver and help him with
that licensing effort early on" (WINSTON CUP SCENE, 9/9).
IT'S NOT A MARATHON BUT A SPRINT: BRANDWEEK's Terry
Lefton reports that Sprint is "close to a deal that would
give it marketing rights to the entire Petty racing family."
Sources "say the size and scope of the pending contract
indicate" that Sprint has "big plans" for the Petty family
(BRANDWEEK, 9/6 issue)....RJR Sports Marketing Enterprises
President Rick Sanders said his company's decision to drop
its Winston brand's sponsorship of the Travis Carter-owned
No. 23 Winston Cup Ford "does not mean we have shut that
doorway for the future. We are constantly exploring
options, not just in specific team sponsorships but
throughout the series itself" (WINSTON CUP SCENE, 9/9).
