The Spin Out Zone – Hendrick Motorsports & Valvoline Get Bumped

Hold on – here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!

Rarely do I SPIN OUT a sponsor, but this time I am going right after
Valvoline.

I think their sponsorship of Johnny Benson and the #10 PONTIAC team is
terrific. I am hoping that the same people that sponsor the racing division of
the product is not the same group that sponsored last weeks VH1’s "Music
Behind Bars" TV series.

If you did not hear this reported on CNN or Fox News, VH1, the popular TV
music channel produced a show called "Music Behind Bars." It’s focus
is to go into prisons and allow inmate rock bands time on the national airwaves
to show off their talent. Sound fun? Sure, if you are a non-violent criminal
looking to get out of prison some day to perhaps change a young persons life for
the positive with their music. Unfortunately, last weeks inmate band did not
prove to be positive. Two members of the band happen to be convicted murders,
both in prison for LIFE. One of the inmate band members shot two teenage girls
for no reason in a drive by shooting. The parents of the girls pleaded with VH1
not to show the inmate that murdered their daughters on TV and VH1 ignored their
plea. The program aired last Friday night and VH1 ignored the grieving family
members and the appeal of tens of thousands of Americans.

The prison used in the episode was located in Pennsylvania and Governor
Schweiker of Pennsylvania was on the airwaves asking VH1 not to air the program
with the two inmates in question. Even the great Governor was ignored. In a
nutshell, convicted murderers where allowed to go on national TV to show off
their rock band, to have a JAM session and to show themselves enjoying life in
prison, while the families of the girls were left to mourn their loss.

The issue of glorifying inmates who kill children is upsetting, however, now
many of us find out the list of companies that sponsored the program "Music
Behind Bars" and out of the hand full named, Valvoline was on that list.

Two of the listed companies have terminated their relationship with VH1
because of the sensitivity surrounding the show, however the others including
Mazda, Smirnoff Ice and Valvoline have not responded to consumers.

I am a big supported of those companies that sponsor NASCAR and the teams
associated with NASCAR. Because I am a Johnny Benson FAN, I use Valvoline
products, but frankly, unless they denounce VH1 and withdraw their sponsorships
from VH1 all together, I will take my business elsewhere.

I am disappointed in Valvoline and if I worked in the marketing department, I
would be down right embarrassed about this issue. They need to make a statement,
like tens of thousands of Americans did when they told VH1 NO!

I’m hoping Johnny, James and the rest of the #10 team can catch the ear of
their Valvoline contacts and make it known that NASCAR FANS are outraged by VH1
and Valvoline’s sponsorship of "Music Behind Bars!"

This week’s SPIN OUT goes to VALVOLINE. Drain VH1 or I’ll take my 10-minute
oil change elsewhere!

SPECIAL QUICK BUMP

I’ve got a question for Rick Hendrick. First, I’m putting on my Director of
Marketing hat for Kellogg’s and UAW Delphi.

OK Rick, you receive OUR sponsorship money too, but all I see is the #24 and
#48 teams running well, in the top ten in Winston Cup points and winning races.
Our teams, #5 and the #25 CAN’T BUY a win! WHY?

Yes Rick, WHY?

I just got in the mail my fall 2002 issue of "Track Record" from
Lowe’s Racing. I read that the NEW nine acre facility at the Hendrick
Motorsports Complex houses the #48 and the #24 teams. According to the teams
manager, Brian Whitesell, both the #48 and the #24 teams cars are all built the
same building and the site features the most advanced equipment. Brain goes on
to say about the #48 and the #24, "we are one team working toward one goal
of preparing winning race cars."

What about the #5 and the #25 cars? Aren’t they apart of your team Rick?
Obviously when we look at the reason why both of these teams struggle, the
answer lies at the doors of the NEW 86,000 -square-foot building. We all know
who the black sheep in this team family is don’t we Terry and Joe?