Reactions: Nextel/NASCAR partnership

Ned Leary, President of Sports Marketing Enterprises for R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company:

"I'd like to congratulate NASCAR and Nextel on their new partnership. We have enjoyed a 33-year relationship with an outstanding partner in NASCAR. We've been very fortunate to be a part of this dynamic and unique sport.

"We appreciate everything NASCAR, the drivers and teams have done for us over the years, and we plan to do everything we can to help Nextel and NASCAR have a smooth transition.

"We're looking forward to the rest of the 2003 season, and we wish Nextel and NASCAR much success for many years to come."

Doug Duchardt, Director of GM Racing:

"General Motors has been involved with NASCAR Winston Cup racing longer than any other manufacturer, and over that time we've been pleased to share the spotlight with R.J. Reynolds and Winston.

"We've had a long and positive association with NASCAR and we appreciate R.J. Reynolds' commitment to helping further the growth of NASCAR stock car racing.

"We welcome Nextel as the new sponsor for NASCAR's premier racing series, and we look forward to the future of NASCAR racing."

Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing Enterprises, Inc.:

"Cingular Wireless is a great sponsor of Richard Childress Racing and Robby Gordon and they will look at this as an opportunity because they accept competition. We've got two more years on our contract together so we're looking at those two years as a great opportunity with this new announcement.

"When we first found out there was the potential of a wireless company taking over the sponsorship, we spoke with Cingular and there didn't seem to be a great concern.

"But I'm sure they had to run it up the flagpole at their headquarters in Atlanta. I haven't heard anything negative and, knowing their marketing plans and strategy, Cingular is going to look at this as an opportunity.

"We've had R.J. Reynolds and the Winston brand almost since I got into NASCAR in 1969. I am one of the few people left around from when they came in and they've done a great job of carrying the sport to the next level.

"They've been invaluable to NASCAR and they will be greatly missed."

Daryl Evans, Vice President of Marketing Communications at Cingular Wireless:

"At a time when the Home Depot car races at Lowe's Motor Speedway and the Miller Lite car participates in the Budweiser Shootout, there is certainly room for Cingular Wireless's No. 31 Chevrolet to compete for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

Cingular and Richard Childress Racing's goals remain the same, to field a competitive team with the intention of winning a championship. Whether the trophy says Winston or Nextel is irrelevant.

"However, we are in talks with NASCAR to ensure that Cingular will continue to enjoy the unparalleled marketing and leveraging opportunities that this sport offers."

Johnny Benson, driver of the No. 10 Valvoline Pontiac:

"I think the drivers are going to have to start practicing calling it the Nextel Cup instead of the Winston Cup. It's going to be funny to see how many times we mess that up. But this is good news today. I mean Winston has been awfully good and I'm sorry that they aren't going to be the title sponsor, but I think they will still do great things with our sport. Nextel will be cool.

"I expect they will do a good job promoting us and help us reach even more fans. I think having a company like Nextel make the commitment it has made speaks volumes about how much NASCAR has grown and is respected in the corporate world."

Jim Rocco, Senior Vice President of The Valvoline Company:

"We at Valvoline think this is great news. It shows you the popularity of NASCAR racing when you see a sponsorship of this size sold so quickly. Our company made the commitment to NASCAR racing by being a longtime sponsor and in 2001 we took the step toward owning half of the No. 10 team.

"So as you can see we think the folks at Nextel made a pretty wise decision and we welcome them into the sport. Our goal is to have Valvoline etched right by the word Nextel on the championship trophy some day."

H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president and chief operating officer of Speedway Motorsports Inc. and president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway:

"The Nextel announcement is a real breath of fresh air. Our good friends at Winston have been so saddled by regulation that it made for a difficult environment. This clears the air and brings us a partner that is a huge player in the enormous communications industry.

"This will do a number of things. First, we believe they will be open to new ideas that will make this sport even stronger. Second, it gives our television network partners a vital anchor advertiser.

"It's only a little over a year and half before negotiations on a new TV contract begin, so the timing is outstanding.

"Third, it gives us a strong marketing boost among our current and potential new advertisers. Fourth, it assures our current car owners and drivers a strong financial future and this will in turn make for better racing and, after all, that is what we are all about!

"While we welcome our new sponsor, we must reflect on the tremendous influence R.J. Reynolds has had over the last 31 years. After losing three of the four major companies in the great 'factory racing' days of the 1960s, they rescued us in a dire time of need, dressed us up and took us to town.

They cared and nurtured us. Put the heat on us when we didn't do right. Jumped in when we cried help. Put their money where their mouth was and served as the lubricant for the red hot growth. To say we will miss them is an understatement. Perhaps in the long history of American motorsports they may simply have been the best.

"In regard to changing The Winston to the NASCAR All-Star Race presented by Nextel, I believe that history suggests there's no place but Lowe's Motor Speedway that can do that event justice. We look forward to working with NASCAR and Nextel to keep the all-star event here for 2004 and beyond."

Las Vegas Motor Speedway General Manager Chris Powell:

"This is an incredibly exciting day for our sport, but one that brings a touch of sadness as well. Today's announcement by NASCAR and Nextel begins a new chapter in the history of motorsports.

"Nextel is a company that will bring even more exposure to our sport and will help NASCAR reach new heights.

"We at Las Vegas Motor Speedway are very excited to be the first speedway in the western United States to play host to the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series when we host the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 in March, 2004.

"Today also marks the realization that R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. no longer will serve as the sponsor of the Winston Cup. The effect RJR has had on motorsports in general, and NASCAR in particular, has been enormous.

"T. Wayne Robertson (the late president of RJR's sports marketing arm) was very helpful to Richie Clyne in bringing NASCAR to Las Vegas.

"When Richie was overseeing the construction of Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the mid-1990s, RJR and T. Wayne were there to lend support.

"We've enjoyed our relationship with the Winston people and will miss them both personally and professionally. At the same time, we look forward to furthering our already existing relationship with Nextel and know it will add a great deal to NASCAR's premier series."