Fda Can’t Forbid Tobacco Sponsorship Of Auto Racing

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, barring an appeal, 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.

Overall, the Winston-Salem, N.C., company reportedly puts $25-$30 million into motorsports advertising and promotion, including several other NASCAR divisions and drag racing, 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 son of the organization’s founder.

John Andretti, nephew of longtime racing star Mario Andretti, knocked Dale Earnhardt off the pole for Sunday’s Winston 500 late in the qualifying. Andretti then had to hold his breath as another upstart, Bobby Hillin Jr., narrowly missed taking the top spot on the last qualifying lap of the session at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Andretti, driving Cale Yarborough’s RCA Ford, turned a lap of 193.627 mph, while Hillin took the outside front row position with a lap of 193.271 on the 2.66-mile, high-banked oval.

Andretti’s only previous pole came at Darlington in September 1995.