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NASCAR WCUP: T. Wayne Robertson NASCAR Winston Cup Preview

9 November 1998

Winston-Salem, N.C. - The 1999 T. Wayne Robertson NASCAR Winston Cup Preview, one of the most anticipated fan events of the NASCAR Winston Cup season, will take place Saturday, Jan. 16, 1999 at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem.

Formerly known as the NASCAR Winston Cup Preview, this year's event has been renamed in honor of its creator, T. Wayne Robertson. Robertson, the president of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.'s Sports Marketing Enterprises for 13 years, was killed Jan. 14, 1998 in a Louisiana boating accident.

The 1999 T. Wayne Robertson NASCAR Winston Cup Preview is once again is presented by Hayes Jewelers of Lexington, N.C.

"We anticipate another large crowd this year, and we're proud to have T. Wayne's name on this event," said event director Rich Habegger. "All of us who are working on the Preview remember Wayne's dream when he helped create the Preview, and we're happy that this effort has helped so many deserving people."

Since the NASCAR Winston Cup Preview debuted in 1990, the event has raised more than $1.6 million for charitable causes, making it the largest one-day charitable event in North Carolina. This year, proceeds benefit the Brenner Children's Hospital, the Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary, Speedway Children's Charities and the T. Wayne Robertson Memorial Fund.

The T. Wayne Robertson NASCAR Winston Cup Preview annually draws more than 25,000 motorsports fans from 30 states and features the stars of America's fastest growing professional sports division, the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.

"We're constantly striving to improve upon what we feel is already one of the most exciting off-track events of the season to our fans," Habegger said. "There has been a continued growth in the attendance of the preview over the years, and we're making plans for another increase this year."

As in previous years, all NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers are scheduled to appear at the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Preview and each will be available to sign autographs at designated times. Autographs are limited on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Other attractions, including NASCAR Winston Cup Series cars and souvenir stands, as well as a collectibles auction, have helped to make the T. Wayne Robertson NASCAR Winston Cup Preview one of stock car racing's most successful and highly attended preseason events.

Tickets to the 1999 T. Wayne Robertson NASCAR Winston Cup Preview are $10 and may be obtained at the LJVM box office or by calling Ticketmaster at (336) 722-6400.

Courtesy Sports Marketing Enterprises