Bob Kersee, who co-owns a NASCAR Winston Cup team with
wife Jackie Joyner-Kersee, said that the team "will debut at
Daytona for the 2000 season opener regardless of its
sponsorship situation," according to Dustin Long of the
Greensboro NEWS & RECORD. The team currently "does not have
a major sponsor signed." Bob Kersee said that he is "close
to announcing a group of investors" that will put more than
$1.5M into the team, but added that he needs about $8M "to
operate his team next year." Kersee: "We've been very close
to some companies, and we've been frustrated with some
because I thought that a couple that we've talked to would
maybe give us an opportunity" (NEWS & RECORD, 11/21).
KEEBLER INKS TITLE DEAL: BRANDWEEK's Terry Lefton
reports that Keebler has bought a two-year entitlement of a
NASCAR Busch Grand National race for its Cheez-It snack
brand. The inaugural Cheez-It 250 is set for March 25, 2000
at Bristol Motor Speedway in TN. Keebler will leverage the
deal with "local retail promos and sampling." Lefton notes
the pact "complements an existing sponsorship" with driver
Buckshot Jones. Starcom Sports Marketing, Chicago, handled
the deal (BRANDWEEK, 11/22 issue).
