R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company has decided that its Winston brand’s NASCAR sponsorship cannot continue to include the NASCAR Winston Racing Series, the weekly short-track racing program that it has been primary sponsor of for 26 years, after the conclusion of the 1999 season( NOL ) I am hearing Exide Batteries may step in as the sponsor — UPDATE: NASCAR is talking with five companies about sponsorship of the Winston Racing series in the future. One of those companies is Exide, which decided to cease sponsoring the Richmond fall Winston Cup race after this season. The sponsorship includes a $1.4 million championship fund( Times-Dispatch ) — UPDATE 2: Exide representatives said the company is not currently planning to take over sponsorship of the former Winston Racing Series, but that it would consider it if NASCAR offered. The company is currently planning to sponsor a different NASCAR short track series( Times-Dispatch )… BUT … I am hearing Exide Corporation has entered into an agreement with NASCAR to sponsor the Exide ShorTrack Series next year, the second tier of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series (NWRS), the premier short track racing series in the nation. The Exide ShorTrack Series, which is a part of the NWRS, competes at nearly 100 short tracks, both dirt and asphalt, on a weekly basis, nationwide, reaching 39 states, including Alaska. The Exide ShorTrack Series has no regulation playing field. The tracks will range in size from the tight .250-mile Riverhead Raceway on Eastern Long Island, NY, to the spacious .626-mile LaCrosse (WI) Fairgrounds Speedway. There are 10 regions throughout the country that will feature drivers competing for track, regional and national honors and recognition. With more than $1.423 million in posted point fund awards available in the first tier, drivers in the second tier will now be vying for the Exide ShorTrack Series national championship
