Allen Bestwick reported during ESPN2’s coverage of the Nationwide Series race that RedMan, the sponsor of the #27-Baker Curb Racing team, would have to be off the car by the end of June due to new federal regulations on smokeless tobacco products.(4-30-2010)
UPDATE: the FDA rule containing a broad set of federal requirements designed to significantly curb access to and the appeal of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products to children and adolescents in the United States. The new rule, Regulations Restricting the Sale and Distribution of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco to Protect Children and Adolescents, restricts the sale, distribution, and promotion of these products to make them less accessible and less attractive to kids. Published March 19, 2010, the new rule becomes effective June 22, 2010, and has the force and effect of law.
New Requirements Relating to Sale and Distribution
* Prohibits the sale of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to people younger than 18.
* Prohibits the sale of cigarette packages with fewer than 20 cigarettes.
* Prohibits the sale of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in vending machines, self-service displays, or other impersonal modes of sales, except in very limited situations.
* Prohibits free samples of cigarettes and limits distribution of smokeless tobacco products.
New Requirements Relating to Marketing (Labeling, Advertising, and Promotion)
* Prohibits tobacco brand name sponsorship of any athletic, musical, or other social or cultural event, or any team or entry in those events.
* Prohibits gifts or other items in exchange for buying cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products.
* Requires that audio ads use only words with no music or sound effects.
* Prohibits the sale or distribution of items, such as hats and tee shirts, with tobacco brands or logos.
(FDA)(5-2-2010)
UPDATE 2: Greg Biffle, who currently ranks seventh in the NASCAR Nationwide Series point standings, makes his final start in the #27-Red Man Moist Snuff Ford Saturday, May 29th, when the series heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway (Baker Curb PR)(5-18-2010)
UPDATE 3: Rick Viers spent Tuesday and Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway, watching other teams test the new Nationwide car. It was a mission of hope for Viers, the crew chief on the #27 Ford for Baker Curb Racing. The car is eighth in owner points, but doesn’t have full sponsorship past the June 12 race at Kentucky Speedway. “What we’ve been trying to focus on is the mentality that all we can do is do what we’ve been doing so far and let the marketing and PR guys do what they can do,” Viers said. [Team co-owner Gary] Baker said he is “very optimistic” that the team can strike a deal with a sponsor or sponsors to keep the car running full-time. He said he hasn’t delved into how things will go if something doesn’t get lined up by the time the federal restrictions come into play, but he has no intention of breaking up the team. “My initial thoughts on it would be we want to keep the team together, even if that meant, as much as I hate to say the words, if that meant start and park, that is a possibility,” Baker said. “We want to keep it together, especially if we’re real close on these sponsors.(NASCAR.com)(5-19-2010)
