ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, April 26, 1997               TAG: 9704280078
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: B-4  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: TALLADEGA, ALA.

`WINSTON CUP' IS HERE TO STAY NAME STAYS THE SAME

A judge says the FDA can regulate what Joe Camel smokes, but it can't regulate Joe Camel.

The Winston Cup will be able to remain the Winston Cup.

U.S. District Judge William Osteen ruled in Greensboro, N.C., on Friday that the Food and Drug Administration can regulate tobacco as a drug. But he said it cannot regulate cigarette advertising, meaning that tobacco company sponsorship of stock car racing can continue.

NASCAR's top series is sponsored by the Winston Cigarette brand of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., which has been involved with the sport since 1971.

The Winston-Salem, N.C., company spends $25 to 30 million on motorsports advertising each year.

As a whole, the ruling was considered a setback to cigarette companies. But the decision had racing officials smiling.

``We think it's great,'' said Bill France, the president of NASCAR and the son of the organization's founder.

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

LENGTH: Short :   33 lines
KEYWORDS: AUTO RACING