The NFL Dallas Cowboys are negotiating to have two cars bearing their colors and logo race in next April’s Direct TV 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway, owner Jerry Jones said Thursday. The two Winston Cup cars – one predominantly silver and the other predominantly blue – would compete in the April 2 race. The Cowboys also want a car with their colors to compete in the Texas 300, a Busch Series race, on April 1. Jones would not divulge the names of the drivers the Cowboys have targeted, but spokesmen for Bobby Labonte and Rusty Wallace’s primary sponsor say they have had preliminary discussions with the Cowboys. For example, the Cowboys wouldn’t use Earnhardt because he has an endorsement deal with Coke. Jones has ties with Pepsi(Dallas Morning News) NOTE: that should rule out Labonte also as he has an endorsement deal with Coke also(10-1-1999) — UPDATE: readers tell me that the latest issue of Beckett has this on pg 84: “And in the spring, at least one driver from the Winston Cup, Busch and NHRA circuits will drive in the blue-and-silver scheme of the Dallas Cowboys, one of the most popular NFL teams among collectors. The paint jobs will be used at races in Texas, with some big time names such as Bobby Labonte and nine-time NHRA champion John Force involved”(Beckett Magazine)(1-9-2000) — UPDATE 2: NFL Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ plan of having two Cup cars with the Cowboys’ colors and logos driven in April’s Direct TV 500 is on hold while NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue reviews the situation. Tagliabue wants the league to make sure the cross-sport association is well thought out. Jones said he thinks any reservations by Tagliabue will be eased before the race. If the idea is approved, the two Winston Cup cars – one predominantly silver and the other predominantly blue – would compete in the race April 2. The Cowboys also want a car with their colors to compete in the Texas 300, a BGN race, on April 1. The schmes would only be used once. The Cowboys are negotiating with Action Performance, Co., which has licensing agreements with more than 300 drivers, owners and sponsors. Action Performance specializes in selling, distributing and licensing goods such as caps, T-shirts and car replicas. Negotiations are serious enough that the Cowboys already have mock drawings of the cars and their paint schemes(Condensed from the Dallas Morning News)(2-22-2000)
