Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 14, 1993 TAG: 9304140139
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder/Tribune
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
HOOTERS ABANDONS KULWICKI TEAM
The Ford of the late Alan Kulwicki will be without the Hooters logo and instead will bear the logos of two charities in the First Union 400 on Sunday at North Wilkesboro Speedway.Left without backing Monday when officials of the Hooters restaurant chain canceled their sponsorship, the Kulwicki Racing team will be underwritten by the Bojangles fast-food chain, said Felix Sabates, executor of the NASCAR Winston Cup champion's estate, on Tuesday.
The car will bear the logos of the Easter Seal Foundation and the Children's Miracle Network, and it also will get some help from Purolator and Ford.
"Dick Campbell of Bojangles called and said he wasn't looking for publicity but wanted to help," Sabates said.
The fast-food restaurant also sponsors Cale Yarborough's team and driver Derrike Cope.
Jimmy Hensley of Horsepasture, Va., will drive the No. 7 Thunderbird until the Kulwicki team is sold. Kulwicki, who died in a plane crash April 1 in Tennessee, had indicated he wanted Hensley in the car if he ever were forced out.
Sabates said Hooters officials had wanted Loy Allen Jr., a relative newcomer from Raleigh, N.C., to drive. Allen races in a Hooters-sponsored car on the Auto Racing Club of America circuit. Because Allen has no Winston Cup experience, Sabates refused.
In a statement Monday, Hooters chief executive officer Bob Brooks said: "The relationship between Hooters and Alan Kulwicki was unique. I started with Alan on a handshake basis, and we developed a special bond. It is unrealistic to think that such a relationship could be formed with a new owner and driver in so short a time."
Brooks' son, Mark, also was killed in the plane crash.
"That anyone would begrudge Mr. Brooks the opportunity to make this decision [to withdraw sponsorship] is insensitive," Hooters spokesman Mike McNeil said.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING