Winston Cup racing is not just a beer, tobacco and auto parts sport. These days the names of retail stores, of pharmaceuticals and of non-consumer products also emblazon the sides of cars. Sponsors no longer just use cars as billboards.
Races are promotional events for employees.
Racing is much more than a sport for those paying the bill. Now a wide variety of companies are slapping logos on the sides of cars. Lowes, Home Depot, Kmart, Ralphs Supermarkets. Petree owns the cars of Joe Nemechek and Bobby Hamilton. Both are seeking sponsorship for next season - Oakwood Homes, Nemechek's sponsor, already has announced it will not return, and Square D's contract for Hamilton's car ends this year.