Team Lowe's Racing comments on The Winston

Team Lowe's Racing 
Comments on Keeping The Winston at Lowe's Motor Speedway

Bob Gfeller, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse

"We are extremely pleased to hear that NASCAR and RJR have decided to keep 'The Winston' in Charlotte at Lowe's Motor Speedway.  It is hard to think of a better place to host an all-star event than Lowe's Motor Speedway or of a community that is more significant to stockcar racing and the families that make up NASCAR.  There are few other communities like Charlotte and few venues like Lowe's Motor Speedway that could make "The Winston" one of the premiere racing events in the world. 

"In addition, NASCAR Winston Cup teams have a long season that requires them to be on the road for a tremendous amount of time.  Holding 'The Winston' at Lowe's Motor Speedway allows team members to spend valuable time at home with family and friends, which is a luxury other race tracks cannot provide.  Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and its family of more than 120,000 employee owners and Lowe's Motor Speedway are extremely proud to be playing host yet again and hope that 'The Winston' remains at Lowe's Motor Speedway for years to come."

Jeff Gordon, Owner, No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet and Driver, No. 24 Dupont Chevrolet

"It's great to hear that 'The Winston' will once again be held at Lowe's Motor Speedway in 2003," said Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevy.  "Racing at Lowe's Motor Speedway under the lights is exciting for the fans and the drivers.  And being home allows the crew members another weekend at home with their families."

Jimmie Johnson, Driver, No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet

"I can't think of a better place to have 'The Winston' than in Charlotte at Lowe's Motor Speedway.  The NASCAR Winston Cup season is one of the longest professional sports seasons in the world.  Staging 'The Winston' in Charlotte, where a lot of the teams call home, is almost like a week off because we get to stay at home and spend more time with our family and friends.  It might not seem like a big deal to have one more weekend on the road, but when you have 36 points events, two all-star events and a handful of testing dates, that's a lot of time away from home and your family.  Having "The Winston" at Lowe's Motor Speedway just means so much to the teams who prepare these race cars for us." 

Chad Knaus, Crew Chief, No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet

"Keeping 'The Winston' in Charlotte means everything in the world.  Our schedule is so grueling now that our guys don't have any time to catch a break.  We have three weekends off during the season, so anytime the guys can be at home and see their families and sleep in their own beds is just a bonus.  Charlotte is also the home of Winston Cup racing, so if you are going to have a special event like 'The Winston,' Charlotte and Lowe's Motor Speedway is where it needs to be."