[3fanforever]

If it weren't for Junior Johnson we may not have had a modern era...

In 1970 he went to see Ralph Seagraves, who was an executive at R.J.Reynolds and a huge Junior Johnson fan. All Junior wanted was for RJR to sponsor his car. Johnson wanted RJR to put up $100,00 to cover his cars, engines and parts. In return he'd advertise Winston cigarettes on the hood and sides of his race car. At the same time, Bill France and Junior Johnson knew that sponsorship from corporations would benefit the sport and break the grip of the manipulative car companies.

What Junior didn't know was RJR wasn't really interested in putting up a measly $100,000 for one car. They had millions of dollars to invest. And because Congress had passed a law prohibiting the advertising of tobacco on TV, RJR wanted to find another way to get people to buy Winston cigarettes. NASCAR seemed like the way to go.

In 1971, when Ralph Seagraves told Junior Johnson what RJR had in mind, Junior said "Well, hell, why don't you just sponsor the whole show then?" Junior called Bill France and told him about the idea, and took RJR to meet with Mr. France.

A month later, RJR and Bill France came to an agreement on a multi-million dollar sponsorship agreement. NASCAR crafted a new schedule and a new format to determine the driving champion. This is also when NASCAR started closing tracks and reduced the number of races each year like Bob Tanner said in his post. They also decided to use more cash benefits as incentives to compete for the championship.

(side note: there's also a story that R.J. Reynolds sent thousands of gallons of red and white paint to refurbish allot of the racetracks that year, many of which were on the verge of bankruptcy. Not sure if it's true, but I remember reading it somewhere.)

So far, it's all been planning, but in 1972, it all came to pass. NASCAR began running with R.J. Reynolds as it's sponsor as The Winston Cup, with a new schedule, and a new points system.

All because Junior Johnson had the foresight to take R.J. Reynolds to see Bill France.

(This is one of my favorite stories about NASCAR )

[Racer Duck]

you guys never cease to amaze me with your knowledge of the sport.

a Gold Star for 3fanforever!!!

[Lefty Noob]

That's an incredible story, 3fan. Thanks. Always great to learn more about the sport's roots like that!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

I'd also go with '72. It makes the most sense.

On the same note, when Gordon started his first race in '92 (also Richard Petty's last, in case you haven't already heard) could and maybe is called Post Modern, the era NASCAR started to really turned into NA$CAR.

I knew that! I have no earthly idea why I wrote 1993? Wish I had a good excuse but I don't; I just plain blew it.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I knew that! I have no earthly idea why I wrote 1993? Wish I had a good excuse but I don't; I just plain blew it.

I hadn't even noticed you said '93, so you'll get away with it.

[wingkey1]

3fanforever's snapshot of the past is so very much like the current "evolution" going on today. Now please understand - the following supports or seeks to destroy no one, but is simply a perspective on just how much the "past" replicates the "present". The players, venues, technologies, and marketing forces have indeed changed. Otherwise - "there's nothing new under the Sun".

The person(s) "in charge" of NASCAR must constantly walk the fine line of "keep us true" while positioning for the advantageous with those who might , in serving their own interest, present desirous opportunities that require - "makes us stray". Infuse cash from what would appear to be a solid supportive source (RJR in 3fans story), select contributing venues (i.e. close tracks that cannot support the vision), reduce the control of outsiders (manipulative car companies in 3fans example).

Found it interesting that RJR is represented (and likely accurately) as "playing" for a market venue (NASCAR) through a hayseed (Junior) as a means towards circumventing the known "throttle" coming from congress. Clearly the RJR "bait" sunk to the gut ("Well, hell, why don't you just sponsor the whole show then?"). PT Barnum was right.

Worked well for eveyone (?), but oh my, the games people play.

Upon securing the $$$$$, Big Bill came to an "agreement on a multi-million dollar sponsorship" AND, "NASCAR (i.e. Bill France) crafted a new schedule and a new format (ala "the CHASE") to determine the driving champion.

The past perhaps was not so "lilly white" as some might want others to believe.

What does all this mean? - Monday morning qurterbacks make a touchdown every play

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

3fanforever's snapshot of the past is so very much like the current "evolution" going on today. Now please understand - the following supports or seeks to destroy no one, but is simply a perspective on just how much the "past" replicates the "present". The players, venues, technologies, and marketing forces have indeed changed. Otherwise - "there's nothing new under the Sun".

The person(s) "in charge" of NASCAR must constantly walk the fine line of "keep us true" while positioning for the advantageous with those who might , in serving their own interest, present desirous opportunities that require - "makes us stray". Infuse cash from what would appear to be a solid supportive source (RJR in 3fans story), select contributing venues (i.e. close tracks that cannot support the vision), reduce the control of outsiders (manipulative car companies in 3fans example).

Found it interesting that RJR is represented (and likely accurately) as "playing" for a market venue (NASCAR) through a hayseed (Junior) as a means towards circumventing the known "throttle" coming from congress. Clearly the RJR "bait" sunk to the gut ("Well, hell, why don't you just sponsor the whole show then?"). PT Barnum was right.

Worked well for eveyone (?), but oh my, the games people play.

Upon securing the $$$$$, Big Bill came to an "agreement on a multi-million dollar sponsorship" AND, "NASCAR (i.e. Bill France) crafted a new schedule and a new format (ala "the CHASE") to determine the driving champion.

The past perhaps was not so "lilly white" as some might want others to believe.

What does all this mean? - Monday morning qurterbacks make a touchdown every play

My gosh! How I wish that I had written this! I've saved this one to file, for future reference.

Something else to watch: The current trend of established teams taking on high profile business partners. Roush has Fenway, DEI kind of has Bobby Ginn and probably by next week, Everham will have extra money from George Gillete, who owns the Miami Dolphins (or so I read), the Liverpool Football Club and multitudinous other items.

One thing to consider: Big time investors do so for only one reason; TO MAKE A PROFIT! Can the aforementioned teams put enough dollars in the pockets of their partners to keep them happy, and in the game? Time will tell.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

My gosh! How I wish that I had written this! I've saved this one to file, for future reference.

Something else to watch: The current trend of established teams taking on high profile business partners. Roush has Fenway, DEI kind of has Bobby Ginn and probably by next week, Everham will have extra money from George Gillete, who owns the Miami Dolphins (or so I read), the Liverpool Football Club and multitudinous other items.

One thing to consider: Big time investors do so for only one reason; TO MAKE A PROFIT! Can the aforementioned teams put enough dollars in the pockets of their partners to keep them happy, and in the game? Time will tell.

First bold: Just make sure you spell "qurterback" differently. Otherwise someone gonna make the connection and suggest that perhaps you did have association or knowledge 'o the Wing. Then - May God help you, cause no one else will.

Second bold: Gillete is one (there are others) that bear watching (for good or bad stuff/direction). There are investors who are sports fans and are, at a different level, comparable to sport and fan supportive NASCAR team owners.

Forgive me for the explaination if my meaning/thought above is already deciphered. The pure team owner that we as fans love is out to smoke the other teams/owners. Make money? Varies dependent upon the alternative revenue streams of the individual. The more of them (true competitors), the better. They are responsible for putting on the truly great show that makes us stand and cheer. The pure investor wants to see and support pretty much the same, just at a different level. I'd go even the step further and suggest that the pure investor, much like the pure team owner, is making his/her real money elsewhere, and is in the sport for the pure enjoyment of it. Make money? Varies dependent upon the alternative revenue streams of the individual.

Third bold: From the text above relative to the "second bold" - this ain't necessarily so (i.e. Big time investors do so for only one reason; TO MAKE A PROFIT!). And THAT my friends poses the real challenges to those in a position to hold, keep, preserve, and protect the founding principals and future success of the/a sport. WHAT are the true motives of the considered "big time investors"? There are significant differences at the team level when compared to the sport level. At both levels, but especially as a "keeper of the flame" (i.e. "Sport level") ya gotta know if you're looking at a supporter or a "heart sucker outter".

At a sport level, the former "Frances" had it easy compared to the present.

The following is aimed at no one individual on this forum - There are no answers in the above so don't look for or interpret any. We've had the opportunity(?) to play at the "governing body" level and negotiate the suggestions, interests, protest, etc. from competitors, fans, the completely ignorant, and more. Think it's easy? Try it before you judge.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Second bold: Gillete is one (there are others) that bear watching (for good or bad stuff/direction). There are investors who are sports fans and are, at a different level, comparable to sport and fan supportive NASCAR team owners.

ok, i looked this up to be sure i hadnt missed anything while i was at work today ........ but, far as i can tell, Wayne Huizenga still owns the Dolphins

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by simple simon

ok, i looked this up to be sure i hadnt missed anything while i was at work today ........ but, far as i can tell, Wayne Huizenga still owns the Dolphins

I thought that too, Simon (I didn't know that it was Huizenga, but I've never connected Gilete with the Dolphins). I always thought that he own the Montreal Canadians, or some other hocky team. However, I relied on an article I read. That'll teach me to trust a internet writer, won't it?

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I thought that too, Simon (I didn't know that it was Huizenga, but I've never connected Gilete with the Dolphins). I always thought that he own the Montreal Canadians, or some other hocky team. However, I relied on an article I read. That'll teach me to trust a internet writer, won't it?

right you are Bob

George N Gillett Jr. owns the Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[lilsexy08]

I like the stories they do before the race of the older drivers like Junior Johnson, those are very informative! Moonshiner Junior Johnson! LOL!

[3fanforever]

Originally Posted by lilsexy08

I like the stories they do before the race of the older drivers like Junior Johnson, those are very informative! Moonshiner Junior Johnson! LOL!

Did you know that in 1948, revenuers raided the Johnson house and it ended up being the largest inland seizure of illegal whiskey in U.S. history at the time?
Junior would later spend nearly a year in jail for it.

Yep, Junior Johnson has one the most incredible life stories in NASCAR.
If you ever get a chance to read it, read the book "Brave In Life". It's the life story of Johnson all the way through his NASCAR days.
This is where that little story above came from.

[PenelopePitStop]

3fanforever, love, love, LOVE the avatar!

[3fanforever]

Thanks PenelopePitStop. Check your pm's.