On last night's "RPM 2Night," host John Kernan profiled
Precision Preparation team Owner Cal Wells, who recently
announced that McDonald's had signed on as sponsor of his
new Busch series team. Wells is also expected to land Tide
for his a new Winston Cup effort. Kernan noted "the multi-
million dollar question in the garage: Why would
corporations like Tide and McDonald's leave established
Winston Cup teams to join forces with a first-year
operation? Was it something Wells did or something the
other owners didn't do?" Wells: "I believe we have a clear
understanding, maybe a clearer understanding than some,
about how to meet the sponsors' objectives, whether it's
winning or promoting or cross-promoting or business-to-
business relationships. And I think we've been able to
assemble a package that they believe is maybe a little
different than the norm and will help them achieve their
goals in a more expedient fashion" (ESPN2, 8/11).
MARINES IN NASCAR: Former Marine and TN-based BEC
Technology Owner Rick Rathbun is teaming with the Ed
Whitaker-owned BGN car to be driven by Kerry Earnhardt, in
conjunction with Roush Motors, to debut a Marines-branded
car at the BGN Food City 250 at Bristol, TN, on August 27.
ESPN's Jerry Punch reported that the Marines are not
"spending their money, but they're going to be heavily
involved with support" and "it may be the tip of the iceberg
for their involvement in NASCAR" (ESPN2, 8/10).
THE OUTLAWS: In Dallas, Tony Fabrizio writes that the
Pennzoil World of Outlaws racing series "may be the last
really good value in motor sports," as primary corporate
team sponsorships cost $400,000-600,000, compared to $8-10M
for the Winston Cup (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/12).
