With Nextel taking over the entitlement to the Winston Cup Series next season, there has been "considerable criticism over the legality" of Nextel's "partial exclusivity" clause, according to Mike Mulhern of the WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, who reported that NASCAR is telling those critics "to shut up, at the risk of some possible penalties for 'conduct detrimental to the sport,' with hints ... of suspensions for malcontents." Mulhern added that there "could be a lengthy new version of NASCAR's annual contract with drivers and car owners that delineates what participants can and cannot do — and what they must do — if they want to race" in the series. NASCAR "may have promised Nextel as many as six days of personal appearances by each driver." Roush Racing President Geoff Smith said that would lead to "a mass rebellion if a driver's time were just blanket committed" (WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, 8/3). In Nashville, Larry Woody wrote that Nextel execs "have yet to address precisely what they want — or don't want — for their money, [and] NASCAR has been equally vague about" the details of the deal. Woody, on Nextel's "partial exclusivity" clause: "What originally appeared to be a boon for the sport ... suddenly may have its own entanglements" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 8/2).
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| Wallace's Car Among Victory Lap Participants |
SPECIAL THANKS: NASCAR announced Friday that a tribute to departing title sponsor R.J. Reynolds will recognize drivers who won championships during RJR's 33-year Winston Cup sponsorship. Beginning with the August 23 Sharpie 500 at Bristol, one or two past champions "will take a ceremonial parade lap in a specially designed 'Victory Lap' car." Diecast models of the cars will then be available for purchase (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 8/2).
CAN I HAVE THIS DANCE? Ford Motor Co. has signed five-year contract extensions with Roush Racing, Robert Yates Racing and Wood Brothers Racing. Ford Racing Technology Dir Dan Davis: "We wanted to send a strong message to everyone that we're committed to NASCAR racing long-term." Davis acknowledged that Ford wanted to "tie up some strong teams" to rep the company "in a battle against Toyota," which is entering the Craftsman Truck Series next season (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 8/2). Davis: "We picked our dance partners for the future. And now it's time to dance" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 8/2). Currently, the three organizations field a combined eight Winston Cup teams (THE DAILY).
FOOD DRIVE: MI-based food distributor Gordon Food Service has signed on to title sponsor the August 17 Winston Cup race at Michigan Int'l Speedway. The event will be called the GFS Marketplace 400 (MIS).
