The five drivers competing for a $1 million bonus in the Sept. 9 Winston Cup race in Richmond are coming to the Langley Air Force Base Sept. 7. to take part in the “No Bull 5” fan pairing for that weekend’s Chevrolet 400 at Richmond International Raceway. The drivers: #17-Matt Kenseth, #18-Bobby Labonte, #3-Dale Earnhardt, #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #88-Dale Jarrett. The R.J. Reynolds-sponsored program offers $2 million to drivers and fans at each of five selected Winston Cup races. If one of the drivers wins the No Bull 5 race, he and “his” fan get $1 million checks. The top-five finishers from the most recent No Bull 5 race are the eligible drivers for the next No Bull 5 race. Many details surrounding the Sept. 7 visit are sketchy. It’s not known how the driver/fan pairing will be done or whether it’ll be open to the public. “There’s a meeting next week with the R.J. Reynolds people to brainstorm ideas and nail things down,” said Sgt. Tom Holloway, on the staff of Gen. John Jumper, commander of the Air Combat Command. “This is not an open base, so there’s a possibility it won’t be a public event. We’ll know more next week.” R.J. Reynolds spokesman Rob Goodman said the visit is almost a done deal. “I’d say 99 percent, but there’s always a slim chance that something might blow up at next week’s meeting,” he added. “We’re going to do everything we can to make it happen. Even so, I seriously doubt it’ll be an open event.”(in part from the Daily Press)(7-26-2000)
