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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Loadhandler 200 Preview -- #90, Lance Norick

20 June 1997

 #90 Lance Norick, NHL Ford
 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
 Loadhandler 200 Advance
 Bristol Motor Speedway

    LANCE NORICK SALUTES STANLEY CUP CHAMPION DETROIT RED WINGS NASCAR
    CRAFTSMAN RACE TRUCK TO CARRY TEAM LOGO AT BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY


BRISTOL TN - Lance Norick will pay tribute to the National Hockey League 
Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings at the Loadhandler 200 NASCAR 
Craftsman Truck Series race. Norick's L & R Motorsports/National Hockey 
League NASCAR Craftsman race truck will carry the Detroit Red Wings logo 
during the June 20-21 1997 event at Bristol Motor Speedway.

In March, 1997, the NHL announced its sponsorship of Norick and the #90 L & R 
Motorsports NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team. Primary sponsorship of a race 
team by another major sport is unprecedented in the history of motorsports.

"Unusual as it may seem," states Lance Norick, L & R Motorsports team 
co-owner and driver, "The NHL saw an opportunity to increase awareness of 
their sport on television among fans who have a proven interest in fast-paced 
cutting-edge competition."

"Fan response to the NHL truck has been tremendous," Norick continued. "Every 
race, more and more fans are telling us how excited they are about the NHL 
involvement with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Many have told us that 
because of the NHL involvement in NASCAR, they are now watching hockey on 
television. It's great to hear they have chosen a favorite hockey team to 
cheer for when they aren't watching their favorite NASCAR team."

The L & R Motorsports race truck sports the NHL's colors of black and orange 
prominently featuring the NHL shield and the "Coolest Game on earth" logo. 
Throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the `Cup Crazy' logo replaced the NHL 
shield on the race truck's tailgate. The uniforms of Norick and the crew of 
the #90 Ford are similarly NHL-branded.

During the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, the truck will feature the 
logo of the NHL team located nearest to the event. Norick, the truck and crew 
are also scheduled to make public appearances at NHL events throughout North 
America, including the NHL BREAKOUT '97 North American tour, and will 
participate in the June 20, 1997 NHL draft in Pittsburgh, PA

Crew members will salute their new champions by wearing apparel with the 
Detroit Red Wings logo during Friday's activities at the track

The Loadhandler 200 is scheduled for Saturday, June 21 at a p.m. EDT Live 
television coverage of the event will be provided by ESPN and the radio 
broadcast can be heard on the NASCAR Truck Network. Qualifying for the 38 
truck field is slated for 7 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 20


By: McNally Media