Top Row Seat - Letter To The Guide
Dateline: 07/01/97Last week in this space I advocated the removal of Winston from NASCAR. To say the least this column generated a great deal of reader responses, the vast majority of which strongly disagreed with me.
Since the Winston Cup drivers had the week off this week this is a good opportunity to allow a differing opinion to be heard. The following is an e-mail I received from Roger Smith, Film Buffs guide here at the Mining Company as well as a dedicated NASCAR fan.
Reproduced with permission from the author
Hi Steve,
While you're obviously no novice to this sport, I've found that many
folks in the grand stand just don't appreciate how much R.J. Reynolds
has done for racing, Nascar in particular, and exactly what their
financial involvement is.
I hear lots of folks saying that it'll be easy for NASCAR to find a replacement. I beg to differ. The pure dollar amount that Winston has contributed to the CUP series, drag racing, the former IMSA Camel GT series, in addition to individual team sponsorships is postively staggering.
Of course the primary reason is that they have the cash, and since they can't buy TV, they have to spend it somewhere. The contingency money, the year end championships dollars, the Winston Million, the Winston Select, The Winston are all MAJOR dollar investments. If this money goes, there are very, very few corporations that could step in and assume the financial role. All of this ON TOP of the dollars that they use in direct support of the #23 car.
Truthfully, I smoke.... and I smoke Winston Select. I smoke because I like it. I smoke Winston BECAUSE of allegience to the sponsor . If Winston pulls out, I'd probably still hang in with them. I didn't start smoking because of Winston, and I won't quit if they pull out. My kids love NASCAR and I have NO fear they'll smoke BECAUSE Marlboro sponsors Penske, or because every CUP driver has a Winston patch on their uniform and decal on the car. The DARE program convinced them not to. IF, they should happen to start, it'll be because of peer pressure... not racing.
Yes, NASCAR is probably strong enough now to stand up without Winston, but their absence would hurt, and hurt badly. And, I believe there's NO WAY, any other sponsor.... not McDonalds, Disney, Budwiser, etc, etc can make the financial investment Winston has. AND it will hurt.
Another point to consider.... Petty won't run a BUSCH decal on his car, but has no problem with Winston. I wonder more about the connection between a beer sponsor on a car than I do a cigarette.
Oh, did you happen to catch the F1 from France.... The Players sponsored cars ran with huge question (?) marks on their cars and uniforms where the Players logo would normally be. The Marlboro sponsored cars simply had the word Marlboro removed. The Red triangle was on the cars, uniforms, and track banners. Maybe Winston will resort to simply displaying the trademark Eagle with the Winston colors, with no word "Winston".
And finally, frankly, I do not see where the #23 car, the #33 car, or the #41 car are convincing children to use their sponsors. I just don't buy it.
--
Roger Scott
Go Fast, Turn Left, Stay Safe!
Send your tips, rumors and comments to me at nascar.guide@about.com.
