[drnascar48]

BY JILL ERWIN
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Apr 17, 2006

Fewer than three weeks before its May 6 race, Richmond International Raceway has inked a deal with a new sponsor for naming rights to the event. The race will be called the Crown Royal 400 after Crown Royal Championship Racing reached a multi-year agreement for the spring race. An official announcement is expected to come today.RIR President Doug Fritz declined to say how long the deal will run. Pontiac had sponsored the spring race from 1988 to 2003 before leaving the sport. Chevrolet sponsored the race the past two years.Fritz said while the race is right around the corner, the timing of the deal is misleading. Because of the state's liquor laws, working out an agreement with a whiskey brand made things more complex."We've been confident we would get it done, and as with any contract in any business and particularly as it relates to entitlement agreements, it took some time to work through it," Fritz said.The Crown Royal 400 will be the 100th Nextel Cup race at RIR, which has sold out 28 consecutive Cup races. Only three tracks have hosted more races than RIR: Daytona, Martinsville and Darlington. Crown Royal sponsored Kurt Busch's car when he won last September's Chevy Rock & Roll 400, the first victory for the brand as a sponsor. It now sponsors the No.26 of Jamie McMurray, who replaced Busch at Roush Racing.

[Smoke842]

You didn't say what you wanted to discuss? Is it that hard liquor is in cup races?

[LSC9901]

So do you think alcohol sponsorship is a good thing or a bad thing ?

[rave20]

Well if you remember my funny stories post you'll remember that the sponsorship of Miller High Life combined with seeing the true effects of misuse convinced me the "High LIfe" wasn't one I needed. I guess it can be a mixed bag. Used responsibly of course there is nothing wrong with it but, my first thought was wait until someone is killed by a drunk driver on his way home from the "Alcohol and Liquor 500". Then you have to wonder if it benefits anyone let alone the sponsor.

I remember thinking years ago when Robbie Moroso was killed while driving intoxicated (at least that was the last report I heard) what if his sponsor had been a beer company? So much tlent and promise..gone.

Often wondered too what the effects would have been if one of the big name drivers was diagnosed with lung cancer back when Winston was the big name. Don't know wo or how many smoked but would have made for an interesting discussion on the radio circuit.

[LSC9901]

Not to create an argument but where does the line get drawn ??? I'm not a big drinker. Most people spill more in a sitting than I drink in a year. I've had my good days and some that I can't remember and some I'd like to forget, but none of them are the fault of any beer or liquor company. Same with cigarettes. Winston doesn't make me smoke (even though I don't) but that will not eliminate the possibility of cancer or some other smoking related problem. Should we eliminate military sponsorship because we are in a conflict/war somewhere in the world? What about the 38 M&M's car ??? Tooth decay. Where does the line get drawn ???

Robbie Moroso was sober at one point in the day(if that was the cause of his death). If the alcohol stays in the bottle or is consumed responsibly no one should get hurt because of it.

Until the sponsor itself is proven to be ir-responsible then I think there is no case to ban them from sponsorship. The product isn't the problem. We are !!!

[26 miles from Joplin]

OK, first things first McMurray better run well in that race. I dont see the big deal with a liquor as a sponsor. This is the way I look at it. I dont like Bed Bath & Beyond, I dont like what goes on in there, so I dont go to Bed Bath & Beyond. Its that simple. To a true fan of NASCAR the sponsors are not a problem. Where would we be without Budweiser, Jack Daniels, Miller Lite ect? I'm not old enough to need it but I hated to see ****** {GO DOWN} The beer and liquor companys do all they can to promote safe and responsible drinkers, thats all you can ask for. Plus they got big $$$$$$$$$$!! One last note: Crown Royal is quite tastyyyyy.

[rave20]

Just to clarify my former post wasn't that these sponsors should be banned. I'm just noting that they risk a fair amount in sponsoring an event. The what if scenarios could easily come back to bite em!

The again that depends on whether there is such a thing as bad publicity!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by rave20

The again that depends on whether there is such a thing as bad publicity!

Thank God that never happens !!!!!

[Smoke842]

I've been waiting for DrNascar48 to tell me what to talk about. Maybe we should be talking about Richmond Int'l Raceway. Okay, I guess I'll give my opinion on the liquor if anyone cares. Since beer has been in the sport forever, I see no reason to barr (ha ha) hard liquor. We already have the Bud shootout. Seeing Crown Royal on the track isn't going to make me go out and buy a bottle, whiskey is nasty. Or do anything stupid that I wouldn't ordinarily do (if I was going to do it).

[Lefty Noob]

What will the TV networks call it? I believe they're not allowed to promote hard liquor.

[Souporscotty]

I can't wait to see the winner pouring it all over everyone in the winner's circle. What a waste of pricy booze

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

What will the TV networks call it? I believe they're not allowed to promote hard liquor.

That will be interesting to see. I'm sure they'll all come to some agreement since there will be millions of $$$$ involved for the network. Isn't it pretty evident that the "BUD SHOOTOUT" is a beer company sponsorship ????

[Souporscotty]

Beer is O.K. It's the "Hard" liquor that is banned from T.V.

[TN_Gal]

Alcohol is alcohol...it's just a different recipe...beer, whiskey, Nyquil it will all get you drunk IF YOU ABUSE IT.

Walk around the souvenier venue outside the track, they're selling ,mixed drinks along with beers and sodas. I think when it comes to $$$$ NASCAR will put their stamp of approval on it if it benefits them. Heck, give it some more time.....you might see a giant tampon on Erin Crockers ride!!!

I imagine the way TV will sponsor it will be running some "drink responsibly" ads saying ...brought to you by Crown Royal......just like how Phillip Morris does it for ciggys

[drnascar48]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

What will the TV networks call it? I believe they're not allowed to promote hard liquor.

They will still call it the Crown Royal 400 on TV.