Since Winston announced that they would no longer sponsor NASCAR’s premier series, fans and participants have wondered what the affect would be on the races, collectables and television coverage.After two races, it seems to be a positive reaction to all of the above.
“People are looking for collectables and merchandise that have the NEXTEL Cup logo on them,” said Buck Buckholz, owner of Winner’s Circle in Pigeon Forge. “They also want to buy the items that have ‘Winston’ on them, thinking that they will become a good investment on the future. We see both kinds of fans, and right now, it seems to be 50/50”.
Winston was always at a disadvantage as far as advertising. The company, owned by R.J. Reynolds in Winston Salem, North Carolina, had to follow strict guidelines when it came to putting the product name in front of the television fans. Tobacco advertising was pulled from televisions in the early seventies, and that was the reason R.J. Reynolds went with NASCAR.NEXTEL, based in Virginia saw a completely different opportunity for advertising, and also the opportunity to let the athlete’s use the product they offer. It is also apparent that NEXTEL is involved heavily with NASCAR and the television package that they signed two years ago.
“Fans talk about the commercials,” said Buckholz, “they like that NEXTEL advertises that they are fans too. It’s a good marriage, but there are still those that don’t like it. They say NEXTEL is trying to change the sport too much.”
NEXTEL just seemed to take the changes to the fans. NASCAR made major changes in 2003 in the leadership, and that is where the change started. NASCAR got rid of the race back to caution, and they instituted a new points system, that hasn’t met with the best reception from fans or participants, but NASCAR president, Jim Hunter says that has nothing to do with NEXTEL.
“We felt that it was time for a change in the points system after last years championship, and the race to the caution was purely a safety concern,” says Hunter. The points are designed to make it more exciting for the fans at the conclusion of the season, and we hope that it does that for them.”As for the racing, there hasn’t been much of a difference. Daytona proved to be just as competitive, and probably produced one of the most popular wins in a long time. Rockingham of course had one of the closest finishes in NASCAR history, so the racing has stayed the same.
“The NEXTEL decal on the car doesn’t make any difference,” added Buckholz. “The cars will go just as fast with a NEXTEL sticker or Winston on the side. NEXTEL seems to be putting the money in the sport that they promised, but can they do that for a long term, like Winston did?”
NEXTEL’s deal is for ten years, and some have questioned whether they can stay in the game for the tenure of the contract. Phone sales are certainly up, but at what point is too much money, too much money? NEXTEL has promised a 5 million dollar check to the points champion and if they finish in the top ten, that driver will receive 1 million dollars. In addition, there will be a $250,000.00 bonus for finishing in eleventh.If you put the two companies head to head, it’s pretty much a draw. The hardest thing to get used to is saying NEXTEL cup instead of Winston Cup.
In five years, no one will think twice about it though, and in ten years when NEXTEL’s contract is completed, what will race fans have to get used to saying then, and will it create the same furor that Winston leaving the sport has? It remains to be seen.

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