The late T. Wayne Robinson, who headed the R.J. Reynolds’ sports marketing division for many years, came up with the Winston Cup Preview idea as a fundraiser for charities in the Winston-Salem, N.C., area. For the last 14 years, the Preview has allowed race fans to get a sneak peek at new stock car designs and meet NASCAR drivers. Daytona International Speedway wants to host the annual event in conjunction with Winston Cup testing held each year in January. Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president of communications, said Daytona does have a horse in the running for this major preseason-racing prize. “We are considering several options, one of which is hosting the Preview here in Daytona,” Hunter said. Since Winston has sponsored the Preview, it was always held in Winston-Salem, most recently at Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum. It has grown to become a valuable cog in the preseason mix. Through the years, Winston raised more than $2.5 million for charity with the Preview. The company kept expenses at a minimum because volunteers ran the event. At the end of this season, Reynolds will step aside as NASCAR’s primary title sponsor and be replaced by Nextel, a wireless communications company based in Virginia. NASCAR has not made a decision about the 2004 Nextel Cup Preview. The sanctioning body is weighing different proposals, which include leaving it in Winston-Salem. R.J. Reynolds has put a hold date on Joel Coliseum in January as a courtesy to NASCAR and Nextel, but chances are the reservation won’t be needed. The Nextel Cup Preview at Daytona is a great opportunity, but it’s not a done deal.( Daytona Beach News Journal )(9-18-2003)
