Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 5, 1994 TAG: 9410050090
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: A8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HARRISBURG, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
Schrader unveiled a bright red Chevrolet Monte Carlo sporting the Budweiser logo on the rear quarter panels during a news conference to announce the sponsorship.
``This is what I've always dreamed of,'' Schrader said. ``Here's the Budweiser car, but it had to have number 25 on it to be a part of the Hendrick Motorsports ...''
Schrader's car, one of three running under owner Rick Hendrick, currently is sponsored by Kodiak chewing tobacco. He will finish the 1994 Winston Cup season under the Kodiak sponsorship before it goes off in search of a new team. Budweiser's sponsorship under the Hendrick team covers the 1995 and 1996 Winston Cup seasons, said Anheuser-Busch spokesman Tony Ponturo. He said there's also an option for the 1997 season as well.
Schrader, 39, celebrated the news less than a day after the funeral of his father, who helped guide him into auto racing out of his shop in the St. Louis area.
``We've had a good year this year for not being in victory lane,'' said Schrader, who is fourth in the 1994 Winston Cup point standings behind Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace and defending champion Dale Earnhardt.
Schrader called 1992 a horrible year and described last season as a roller-coaster ride. This year, he wanted a consistent top five team that could make a run at the Winston Cup championship.
``Even though that has maybe kept us out of victory lane this year, it's also got us where we are now, and that's announcing the Budweiser sponsorship and a team that's scoring some points,'' he said.
In addition to the new sponsorship, Hendrick announced plans to build a new team facility on land adjacent to his headquarters, as well as a Hendrick Motorsports Museum.
by CNB