The FansTeam, Supported by Arby's, Brings NASCAR Closer to Fans
3 November 1997
The FansTeam, Supported by Arby's, Brings NASCAR Closer to FansNASCAR Fans Can Now Sponsor Their Own Racing Team, Win Rare Look At Sport Sponsorship Hotline# 1-888-TEAM-064 ATLANTA, Nov. 3 -- Pull over Budweiser, Tide, Dupont, and Kellogg's, it's time for a pit stop, as the green flag signals the start of a new and rare opportunity for the latest NASCAR sponsor to hit the racing scene -- The Fans! Racing history was made today, as The FansTeam(TM) unveiled its plans to hit the track and the NASCAR circuit next season in #64, a brand new racecar to be sponsored by NASCAR fans around the country. Comedian Jeff Foxworthy, an avid NASCAR fan, has signed up as the first FansTeam fan and will promote the one-of-a-kind NASCAR program. Fans can get information about the FansTeam by calling 1-888-TEAM-064. Fans who sign up to sponsor the FansTeam car will receive several VIP perks, including a commemorative FansTeam T-shirt and certificate, their name on the car's transport truck and race banners, and the weekly chance to have their name and face displayed on The FansTeam car during an entire race. Fans can also get the latest information on FansTeam opportunities on the Internet at http://www.fansteam.com. Fan sponsors will be automatically entered every week, during the 1998 racing season, for the opportunity to win trips to key NASCAR races, rare passes to private garage tours, VIP pit passes, weekend race getaways, and autographed NASCAR collectibles. Fan sponsors are even eligible to win a Richard Petty driving experience weekend for two. "The name says it all. While Arby's is a supporter, the FansTeam is sponsored by NASCAR fans for NASCAR fans," says Jeff Foxworthy, comedian and Number One FansTeam fan. "For the first time ever, NASCAR fans, like me, can get more up close and personal with a Winston Cup team than they've ever dreamed. Racing fans know firsthand how much NASCAR fans are into this great sport. Still, all we could do is cheer for someone else's team -- until now." NASCAR veteran, Dick Bahre, who has fielded teams with Sterling Marlin, Morgan Shepard, Michael Waltrip, and Geoff Bodine, will run the FansTeam from his brand new racing shop in Statesville, North Carolina. As FansTeam sponsors sign up, Dick Bahre Racing will be heading up a selection process for the FansTeam driver, who should be announced early next year. Should enough sponsors sign up during the initial phase of the program, the FansTeam car will be in Daytona for qualifying races in February 1998. Otherwise, fans will receive a refund of their sponsorship fee, less a $25 processing charge. Sponsorship enrollment is open through 1998. "NASCAR racing surpasses football, baseball and basketball as the biggest spectator sport in the country. Arby's is very excited about helping to provide NASCAR fans with this new opportunity for a rare up close look at their favorite sport," said Robert Langley, southeast regional president for RTM Restaurant Group, which owns and operates Arby's. "We look forward to hitting the track and bringing a new twist and new level of excitement to NASCAR racing for America's biggest sports fans." NASCAR fans can call 1-888-TEAM-064 or visit their nearest participating Arby's restaurant for information on how to sign up for The FansTeam Sponsorship package. Membership fees are $195 and include the commemorative FansTeam T-shirt, official FansTeam certificate, Arby's VIP coupons for 10 free meals worth at least $40, and the weekly contests for an up-close NASCAR experience. The RTM Restaurant Group, which owns and operates Arby's restaurants, has annual sales of $625 million, operates 896 restaurants in 21 states and 47 markets with 20,000 employees. The company's portfolio of restaurant concepts includes Arby's Roast Beef Restaurants, Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, Mrs. Winner's Chicken & Biscuits, Shoney's Family Restaurants, and Del Taco Mexican Restaurants. The company is also the franchiser of 177 Mrs. Winner's Chicken & Biscuits and Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken restaurants. SOURCE The FansTeam