But the relationship has worked, so for now, it stays. The eldest France was close personally with T. Wayne Robertson, the late president of Sports Marketing Enterprises. In order to do that, his organization has to develop new race fans. Because tobacco companies can't promote their products to minors, there can be no Winston Cup Happy Meals, no Winston Cup action figures. Anti-tobacco lobbies, however, say that doesn't prevent R.J. Reynolds from using its position in motorsports to reach kids.
Auto racing is the perfect image to appeal to a young teenager.
Admission requires a driver's license to prove you are of age and a pack of cigarettes to prove you're a smoker. That deserves the same credibility as their claim several years ago that their products weren't addictive. Nobody in my family does. But I appreciate what Winston and R.J. Reynolds have done for us. To me, it's a freedom thing.