Tim Donahue , president and CEO officer of Nextel, which recently signed a 10-year agreement to sponsor what is now known as the Winston Cup series beginning in 2004 , was on hand for Saturday’s drivers meeting at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR President Mike Helton introduced several Nextel representatives and when Donahue was introduced, he was greeted by a standing ovation from those in attendance. “We’ve never been in anything as big or as exciting as this sponsorship. We want to make it a great time for the fans, for the teams, for the drivers, for the owners, for everyone involved,” Donahue said. “No one understands the importance of relationships more than I do. This is a partnership in the true sense of the word. We really want to enhance the relationship and do everything we can to take the NASCAR sport you all started to the next level.” Donahue also thanked officials with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. for their work sponsoring the series since 1972. “We are humbled by the opportunity and I think RJR has done a fabulous job over the last 30-plus years, and we’re going to work real hard to fill those very big shoes.”( ThatsRacin.com )(7-6-2003)
