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The FansTeam, Supported by Arby's, Brings NASCAR Closer to Fans

3 November 1997

The FansTeam, Supported by Arby's, Brings NASCAR Closer to Fans

  NASCAR 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