Following last weekend's NASCAR Save Mart/Kragen 350 in
CA, "dozens of spectators were carrying or rolling large
used-up race tires ... taking them to their cars as
souvenirs," according to Mark Purdy of the SAN JOSE MERCURY
NEWS. NASCAR race teams dispose of the tires by selling
them to fans for $5-10 each. One fan, when asked what he
would do with a used tire: "I'm going to keep it on my floor
at home, next to my bed. You know, so that I can see it
first thing in the morning when I wake up." Purdy: "When
you talk about your brand loyalty, you are talking about
NASCAR customers. ... Stock-car racing is as hot as anything
in sports these days. And while the consumer base of NASCAR
is supposed to be broadening and going more upscale, it
appears that the core audience of working-class gearheads
has hardly deserted the cause" (S.J. MERCURY NEWS, 6/29).
NOTES: NASCAR has unveiled The NASCAR Online Phone
Browser, a 1-900 number (1-900-5-NASCAR) which lets fans
access official NASCAR news and information (NASCAR)....At
this weekend's Pepsi 400 in Daytona, FL, Johnny Benson's
Ford Taurus will feature Betty Crocker's signature and the
Cheerios Racing logo on the left quarter panel, a Betty
Crocker spoon on the front hood, SuperMoist Cake and
Bisquick logos on the back and the Hamburger Helper logo on
the right side panel (General Mills).
