When tickets for the first Winston Cup race there went on sale last September, it took just 30 hours to sell more than 100,000 seats. All were paid for without taxpayer money, race followers point out. He won 200 races, including 10 straight and 27 of 48 races in 1967, and seven Winston national titles. At 60, he's busy as a team owner and is easily recognized by his trademark cowboy hat, dark glasses and an infectious grin in the garage area of Rockingham. But stock car racing is more than sheer numbers.
Ratings are high, and the revenue from TV rights is significant.
Hitting a Randy Johnson fastball or shooting over Shaquille O'Neal's outstretched arms are unlikely feats for most sports fans, Latford said. It's exciting, continuous action,'' Latford said. The cars look like something off a Detroit production line, but their performance is unlike what you'll see on the Interstate 90 freeway. Little's John Deere Ford ranks 12th in the 1998 point standings going into Las Vegas. Little and his business manager, Jud Preece, a former WSU pal from Kirkland, never have been more optimistic.