Fans Seeing Red as Dodge, Evernham Motorsports Merchandise Trailer Opens in Charlotte

26 May 2000
Fans Seeing Red as Dodge, Evernham Motorsports Merchandise Trailer Opens in Charlotte
    CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 25 After six months of asking when
Dodge and Evernham Motorsports apparel will be available at NASCAR Winston Cup
events, race fans found out today "It's time."  At 9:30 a.m., the sales
counter opened for the first time at a 53-foot, state-of-the-art merchandise
trailer parked just outside Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C.
    Fans can now buy a variety of popular items including shirts, jackets,
flags, key chains, magnets, license plates, decals and beverage holders.
Merchandise features the logos of Dodge, Evernham Motorsports and the No.19
Dodge Dealer Intrepid R/T and its driver, Casey Atwood.
    "NASCAR fans like to show people who they support," said Ray Evernham,
NASCAR Winston Cup champion crew chief and owner of Evernham Motorsports, the
team preparing two Dodge Dealers Intrepid R/T racecars.
    "We developed the merchandise trailer for our Dodge dealers and our
growing number of fans," said Evernham.  "Since we announced this program, we
have received hundreds of requests for Dodge Winston Cup merchandise from race
fans, Dodge owners, and Dodge dealers and employees.  We are working to give
our fans a way to connect with the Dodge brand, the Dodge dealers and our
Dodge drivers."
    According to the company that developed the merchandise and the vending
unit for Evernham Motorsports, the new truck trailer is definitely "Dodge.
Different."
    "This is without question the wildest-looking trailer on the circuit,"
said John Bickford, vice president, Action Sports Image.  "The unit will get a
lot of attention trackside at racing events, and it will definitely be noticed
as it travels more than 50,000 miles between races this year."
    The overall color for the customized truck trailer is, of course, Dodge
red.  Graphics include a large Ram head logo and the advertising taglines
"Dodge. Different" and "Your Friendly Dodge Dealers."  Another large statement
says, "Coming to Winston Cup in 2001."  The rest of the trailer's design
features a giant collage of Dodge and car racing images.
    Bickford says the specialized merchandise trailer has all the features of
trailers operated for the circuit's top teams.  The unit will be located in
premium trackside vending locations for easy access by fans.
    Shirts come in a variety of colors, styles and sizes, including printed
and embroidered T-shirts, polos and button-downs.  Replica cars will also be
available soon.  Action Sports Image operates the merchandise trailer under
contract with Evernham Motorsports and licensing agreements with Dodge
Motorsports.
    The unit will be at about a dozen Winston Cup events during the remainder
of the current season and all Winston Cup events in 2001.  It will be open
during standard operating hours at trackside vending areas.
    "We have something for just about everyone, but this is really just the
beginning of the merchandise program," says Bickford.  "By the time we get to
Daytona next February, the merchandise trailer will have about three times as
many items as it has now.  We expect to offer all the most popular items
NASCAR fans want."
    Dodge Motorsports will also develop some apparel and memorabilia that will
be available exclusively through Dodge dealers.  Details about that program
will be announced later this year.

    "Dodge 500" Countdown to 2001 Daytona 500:
    269 days, 3 hours, 30 minutes