NASCAR THUNDER TO PIT FIRST IN ATLANTA

     Gaylord Entertainment, which signed an agreement last fall
to own, operate and manage the "NASCAR Thunder" retail chain, is
in "final negotiations" to open its first store by early May in
Atlanta.  The store "will combine the high-tech environment of
retail chains such as The Disney Store with a racing atmosphere."
NASCAR Thunder VP/GM Larry Painter said he hopes to have five
more outlets open by the end of '96 in "the Carolinas," and other
Southeast and Midwest cities, such as Nashville, Orlando,
Indianapolis and Cincinnati.  Painter:  "This concept lends
itself both to mall settings and to high-tourist-traffic areas"
(TENNESSEAN, 1/24).