Viacom said last week that it "wants to sell" its chain
of NASCAR Thunder stores "as soon as possible," according to
Will Pinkston of the WALL STREET JOURNAL, who reports that
if a buyer is not found within six months, "it's possible
Viacom could simply shutter" the 12 retail outlets. While
Viacom won't disclose sales figures, a company exec "says
only that it's a profitable operation with around" $10M in
annual revenue. NASCAR Thunder execs are "optimistic a
buyer will emerge," but other industry observers say that
"it's unclear whether there will be any takers at a time
when motor-sports merchandising is in the pits." Pinkston:
"A switch in broadcasting rights has led to a lull in the
sport's promotion, a spate of sponsor and driver defections
has rendered many goods out of date, and over-stocking has
plagued products that were supposed to have been collectors
items." AZ-based Action Performance "passed" on the chance
to buy the Thunder chain last year (WALL ST JOURNAL, 9/27).
RACE DEALS: Georgia-Pacific has signed a multi-year
deal to become the primary sponsor of the Petty Enterprises-
owned No. 44 Winston Cup Dodge and driver Buckshot Jones
beginning next season (Georgia-Pacific)....Discount Auto
Parts has signed on as presenting sponsor of the Winston Cup
Pennzoil 400, to be held November 12 at Homestead-Miami
Speedway (HMS)....Talk.com has inked a deal to become title
sponsor of next month's Pennzoil World of Outlaws sprint car
event at The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway (LMS).
